This stunning Tokoname-yaki kyusu (teapot) has an elegant, rounded shape, and is thrown from the iconic Tokoname shudei (朱泥) clay, known for its brilliant red colour and ability to subtly reduce the astringency of tea.

The surface is unpolished and unsmoothed, in a style called sujibiki (筋引) which is a subtler variation of rokurome (ろくろ目 - potters' wheel marks) which shows the flow of the potter's fingers as they shaped the piece on the wheel.

The pot is further decorated with six delicately engraved poems, one from each of Japan's Six Poet Immortals (Rokkasen - 六歌仙) [as read from right to left on the pot]:

• はちす葉のにごりのしまぬ心もてなにかは露を玉とあざむく - "The lotus leaves, unstained by the muddy waters—why then do they deceive us with dewdrops shimmering gem-like?" by Sōjō Henjō
• おほかたは月をもめでじこれぞこの積もれば人の老いとなるもの - "For the most part, cease your love for the moon! It is the moon rolling again and again that makes one old" by Ariwara no Narihira
• 吹くからに秋の草木のしをるれば むべ山風を嵐といふらむ - "As soon as it blows plants and trees will be withered, so the mountain wind may well be called a storm" by Fun'ya no Yasuhide
• わが庵は都の辰巳しかぞすむ世を宇治山と人はいふなり - "People say that I am a secluded hermit living in gloomy Mount Uji, but my hermitage is just to the southeast of the capital!" by Kisen Hōshi
• 色見えで移ろふものは世の中の人の心の花にぞ有りける - "A thing which fades with no outward sign–is the flowerof the heart of man in this world" - by Ono no Komachi:
• 鏡山いざたちよりて見てゆかむ年へぬる身は老いやしぬると  - "Kagami Mountain, well I believe it’s time for me to pay a visit, but has this aged body of mine become too old and weak?" by Ōtomo no Kuronushi

Its built-in ceramic sasame filter is perfect for naturally straining tea, with a wide shape for faster pouring and less clogging.

The kyusu comes in its original kiribako (桐箱 - paulownia wood box) signed and sealed by the artist.

Made by Hiroshi Koie (鯉江廣氏) who produces work under the name Reikō (玲光).

Tokoname-yaki (常滑焼) is a type of Japanese pottery that traditionally comes from Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The site of one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, pottery has been made in Tokoname since the 12th century.

Today, Tokoname ware is known for its iconic brick-red clay called shudei. Famously used in teaware and bonsai pots, this clay’s vibrant colour comes from its rich iron content. Tea steeped in unglazed Tokoname teapots is said to have a mellower taste.

Dimensions:

12.5cm (4.9in) - width (including handle)
9.6cm (3.8in) - height
280ml - capacity

Condition: New

This Japanese item ships from the United States.