Skip to product information
1 of 15

煎茶 中国茶 台湾茶向け 日本製急須/茶壺専門店 東山堂

Tokonameware red clay pentagon teapot (180ml)

Tokonameware red clay pentagon teapot (180ml)

Regular price ¥24,200 JPY
Regular price Sale price ¥24,200 JPY
Sale Sold out

This is a red clay teapot from Jinshu Touen. It features a pentagonal shape and a texture with a fine crack-like pattern. It has just the right volume for brewing Chinese or Taiwanese tea.


The technique called "Arashi Shibori" that creates the fine patterns on the surface is an original creation of Jinshu Touen's Mr. Ito Seiji. This teapot makes use of the texture of Tokoname clay and gives you a sense of Japanese nature and tradition. Mr. Ito is a modern master teapot craftsman who is highly regarded not only in Japan but also in China and Taiwan.


(Biography of Mr. Ito Seiji)


Born in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture in 1949


Started making pottery in 1970


Traditional craftsman certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Tokoname ware general category)


Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award for contributions to the traditional craft industry


Purveyor to the Imperial Household Agency


10th Chosan Award at the Chosan Award Ceramics Exhibition


Excellent Award at the 34th Banko Ceramic Competition 2020


Silver Award at the 1st World Ceramic Art Awards in Yixing, China (teapot competition)


Judges' Recommendation Award at the 6th Taiwan International Golden Ceramic Art Exhibition (teapot competition)


Numerous other awards


Tokoname red clay contains a lot of iron. According to a paper investigating Tokoname red clay (Mineralogy Journal, March 1961, by Takashi Sugimura, Nagoya Institute of Technology), the iron content of Tokoname red clay is about 5-6%.


The iron combines with tannins, which are the bitter taste components of tea. Therefore, tea brewed in a Tokoname red clay teapot has a smoother taste with less bitterness.


We once held a tasting event in Hong Kong using Tokoname ware teapots. Participants commented that when drinking Chinese tea such as rock tea and ripe Pu-erh tea, it is easy to tell the difference in taste. Since tastes vary from person to person, it is difficult to make a general statement, but it certainly feels like the taste becomes smoother.


The teapots made by Mr. Ito are tea utensils that are extremely easy to use. The water flows smoothly and drains very well. The contact surface between the lid and the body is carefully polished, and the lid fits snugly into the body. The angle of the handle, the overall weight balance, and other details are designed to be easy to use.


The tea strainer inside the teapot is also made from the same clay of Tokoname. The mesh tea strainer, which is made by hand, is a traditional Tokoname ware technique. This is a wonderful teapot that combines precise craftsmanship and bold design.


<Teapot> Made in Aichi Prefecture


Potter: Jinshu Touen (Tokoname ware)


Firing: Electric furnace


Size: Total length 12cm (including handle and spout), body (longest) 8cm, height 8.5cm


Capacity: 180ml


Weight: Approximately 130g


Packaging: Paper box


Notes: Handmade in Aichi Prefecture. Since it is handmade, each piece is slightly different.


The airtightness between the lid and the body is good. You can see how to pour water in the youtube video below.


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/77DsZ1rX4uA


*Tokoname ware


Tokoname ware is pottery made in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture. It was the largest ceramic production area in Japan in the Middle Ages, and in addition to everyday items such as plates, bowls, and bowls, many large pottery vessels such as jars and pots were made.


From the end of the Edo period (around 1858), red clay tea and sake utensils were also made. From the mid-Showa period (1962), the technology of electric furnaces for red clay was established. Tokoname red clay teapots are fired at about 1100℃. Tokoname red clay is a clay that is compatible with electric furnaces, which have slightly lower temperatures, than wood-fired kilns, which reach high temperatures of 1200-1300℃.


 

Millions of years ago, the Tokoname region was at the bottom of a lake called Lake Tokai, and it is home to fine-grained clay such as red clay and black clay that is suitable for teapots. Tokoname is home to the techniques necessary for making teapots, such as advanced molding techniques and the technique of fitting the lid and body of the teapot together without any gaps, known as "rubbing". It is the largest teapot production area in Japan.

Low stock: 10 left

View full details

FAQ

Which type of of tea can I brew with the teapot?

It can be used for any type of tea. However, unglazed pottery is more likely to absorb the flavor of the tea leaves. By using different tea utensils for each type of tea, you can enjoy the flavor of the tea to the fullest.

For example, in the case of Japanese tea, sencha, fukamushicha, genmaicha, and gyokuro are all in the same family, but since hojicha has a strong roasted aroma, we recommend using a different tea utensil.

However, glazed pottery or porcelain tea utensils do not absorb the flavor of the tea leaves, so they are suitable for brewing various types of tea.

How do you wash a teapot?

Please wash the teapot with water, without using detergent. Ceramic teapots easily absorb detergent ingredients, which can affect the flavor of the tea.

Tea leaves remaining in the teapot are the main cause of tea stains. After brewing tea, we recommend removing the tea leaves once they have cooled and rinsing them with water.

Moisture remaining in the teapot can cause mold. Turning the teapot upside down will help it dry faster.

We do not recommend washing it in the dishwasher. Please wash by hand.

Can I remove tea stains from a teapot?

Here's how to remove tea stains.

1. In a bowl or pot, mix 24g of baking soda with 1 liter of water at 30-40°C.

*Do not use aluminum or Teflon-coated pots as they will react with baking soda.

2. Leave the teapot in the water mentioned in step 1 for 30-60 minutes.

3. Wipe off the tea stains with a soft sponge or cotton swab. Do not use hard sponges or brushes.

4. Rinse the teapot with water.

5. Thoroughly dry the teapot.

*Baking soda water may irritate your hands, so wear rubber gloves.

Can I return the product?

We do not accept returns unless the product is damaged when the package arrives.

Each tea utensil is slightly different and may have slight distortions or scratches. Please check the images posted on our online shop in advance.

If you have any questions about the detailed condition of the product, please feel free to contact us. We can send you additional images and videos of the product.

Do you ship internationally?

We can ship to the following countries:

China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines

Are the goods antiques or second-hand goods?

All the products in the shop are new. We sell products produced by potters and kilns in Japan.