This expertly crafted Tokoname-yaki tea set consists of a kyusu (teapot) and a pair of yunomi (teacups). Each piece is made from the iconic Tokoname shudei (朱泥) clay, fired with a striking yōhen (窯変) gradient from a rich vermillion red to a deep coal black.
The kyusu has a low, flat shape with a built-in ceramic debeso filter, perfect for naturally straining tea. Coupled with its small size, the flat shape is ideal for brewing high-quality sencha and gyokuro. The matching cups have a similarly low shape with a subtly flaring lip.
Specifications
Made in Japan. Ships from the United States.
Kyusu:
Width: 14.2 cm (5.59 in)
Height: 6.4 cm (2.52 in)
Capacity: 150 ml (5.07 oz)
Cups:
Width: 6.9 cm (2.72 in)
Height: 4.2 cm (1.65 in)
Capacity: 70 ml (2.37 oz)
Please note that due to the organic nature of handmade teaware, there are subtle variations between pieces, with each piece being slightly unique in shape and design.
Tokoname-yaki Ceramics
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.
About Yōhen
Yōhen is used to generally describe many kiln effects across various ceramics styles (including Tenmoku, where it is spelled 曜変). In Tokoname-ware, however, this term specifically refers to the attractive and often dramatic colour gradients and patches caused by certain firing conditions. One way this is achieved is by partially submerging the teapot in sawdust while firing. Yōhen pots typically have a gradient from a dark black or brown to shudei red, though some potters use this technique with ryokudei or koudei clays to produce unique colour patterns. As the exact pattern produced is highly dependent on the position of the piece in the kiln as well as the firing temperature, atmosphere, and fuel, producing a consistent result across many pieces takes a great amount of skill, patience, and practice.
Meet Iwase Kōji (岩瀬弘二)About the Artist
Born in 1946, Iwase entered the world of ceramics at the tender age of 15. His journey began in 1962 as a live-in apprentice at Takasuke Toen, one of Tokoname’s major kilns.
While honing his skills through rigorous daily training, a strong yearning to discover his own unique style constantly burned within him. This passion culminated in a bold move: he implored his master to allow him a two-year conditional apprenticeship (1970–1971) at a Kiyomizu ware studio in Kyoto, stepping away from his hometown. Leaving the world of Tokoname-yaki behind and immersing himself in the atmosphere of the outside world and mastering different techniques proved to be a profound breakthrough for his future endeavors.
The 1980s was a period of significant shifting in Japanese lifestyles. As dining habits transitioned from traditional tatami mats to dining tables, Iwase began his quest for "teapots suited for a modern way of living."
Drawing inspiration from Nordic crafts, his simple, refined style appeared anti-traditional at first glance, yet it marked the true establishment of the highly crafted design he sought.
While pioneering modern silhouettes, Iwase is fundamentally driven by a passionate devotion to the intrinsic charm of Tokoname ware. For his Choza Prize-winning Silk Red Mud Tea Set (Kinu-Akade), he embraced the challenge of recreating authentic Shudei (red clay)—the hallmark of traditional Tokoname ware—starting from the very formulation of the clay itself.
By meticulously firing the pieces at a lower temperature over an extended period, he preserves the moist, earthy texture and maximizes Tokoname ware's distinctive ability to absorb the astringency of tea. Even though the forms are stripped-down and minimalist, the smooth tactile sensation and elegant luster they exude are unequivocally the crystallization of advanced artisanship.
Honored with the Aichi Prefectural Governor's Commendation for Excellent Technicians in Traditional Industries in 1993, and certified as a Tokoname Ware Traditional Craftsman the following year, Koji Iwase has forged a unique artistic identity over more than half a century. Today, this profound journey resides quietly, yet with an unmistakable warmth, within each and every modern teapot he creates.
