{"product_id":"tokoname-yamada-tozan-seaweed-pattern-teapot-a","title":"Tokoname ware Yamada Tozan the 3rd seaweed pattern teapot A 150ml","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eThis teapot, crafted by Yamada Tozan the 3rd, represents a convergence of two distinct traditions: the art of teapot-making—which originated in China—and the seaweed pattern technique, nurtured in Tokoname.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe piece features a form rooted in the lineage of Chinese teaware, embellished with natural patterns created using seaweed. It serves both as a functional tool for brewing tea and as an object of aesthetic pleasure, inviting one to admire the intricate patterns adorning its surface.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e(Biography of the Third-Generation Yamada Tozan)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eBorn in 1946 in Handa City, Aichi Prefecture.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eIn 1973, while working in the field of architecture, he began learning the arts of the potter’s wheel and glazing from his predecessor, the second-generation Tozan.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eIn 2000, he succeeded to the name \"Tozan.\"\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eHe is a licensed First-Class Architect and a Professional Engineer (Construction Division).\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe first-generation Yamada Tozan was the younger brother of the first-generation Yamada Jozan and a prominent potter in Tokoname. The Yamada family were originally farmers; in the early Meiji era (late 19th century), the elder brother, Jozan, became a potter and learned the techniques for crafting red clay teapots—a method introduced to Tokoname in 1878 by Jin Shiheng, a potter from Yixing, China. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis younger brother, Tozan—born significantly later—began by assisting his brother with teapot production before eventually establishing his own independent practice. The first-generation Tozan created a variety of items, including teapots, tea bowls, and charcoal braziers.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe third-generation Yamada Tozan carries on the traditional techniques for crafting red clay teapots designed for Chinese tea. He continues to use the same wooden tools—such as shaping sticks, pedestals, and boxes—that were employed by his predecessors. Observing his process, one is struck by how few tools are actually required to create these teapots.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe primary tools used in the crafting process are those shown in the accompanying photograph: a wooden pedestal, a stick with a pointed tip, and a stick with a rounded, protruding end. Since most of the work is done by the potter’s own hands, few tools are required—the hands themselves are the finest tools of all.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThis teapot, designed for use with Chinese tea, incorporates seaweed pattern - a traditional technique unique to Tokoname. It represents a harmony between different craft traditions, brought together within a single vessel.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eSeaweed pattern: A Tokoname Tradition Since the Edo Period\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eSeaweed pattern is a technique in which seaweed is placed upon or wrapped around the surface of a piece of pottery before it is fired, leaving behind a distinct pattern. Rather than being painted on with a brush, the patterns emerge as the salts and other minerals within the seaweed react with the clay body during the firing process.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe origins of this technique date back to the late Edo period. During the Tenpo era (1830–1844), Ina Chōza the 2nd developed a style known as fire-colored ware, which utilized a clay that fired to a white finish, decorated with dried seaweed. This creative use of materials—fitting for Tokoname, a pottery-producing region facing the sea—has been passed down to the seaweed pattern technique we see today.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eCreating Nuance Through Seaweed Varieties\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eYamada Tōzan the 3rd creates depth and shading in his seaweed patterns by carefully selecting different seaweed—some with higher salt content, others with less.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eIt is not merely a matter of placing seaweed on the piece and leaving the rest to the kiln; the potter must discern the unique properties of each material to draw out the full character of the pattern. This thoughtful approach adds depth to the lines and tonal variations of the seaweed pattern.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe charm of this teapot lies in the intersection of natural spontaneity and the potter’s deliberate intent. As you hold the piece and turn it in your hands, take your time to enjoy the patterns that unfold across its surface.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe teapots crafted by Yamada Tōzan the 3rd often follow the traditional forms of Chinese-style teapots. Yet, even when the overall shape remains consistent, the subtle details, textures, and atmosphere of each piece reveal the personal taste and creative vision of the maker. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe teapots crafted by Yamada Tōzan the 3rd possess a gentle quality, evoking the unhurried pace of life found in mainland China. Their aesthetic is closer to that of pre-modern Chinese teapots than to the contemporary style of Tokoname-ware teapots.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003ePotter: Yamada Tōzan the 3rd (Tokoname-ware)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eForming Method: Wheel-thrown\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eFiring: Electric kiln\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eDimensions: Total length 12 cm (including handle and spout); body (widest point) 8 cm; height 7 cm\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eCapacity: 150 ml (to the brim); 120 ml (practical capacity)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eWeight: Approx. 125 g\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003ePackaging: Paper box\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eNotes: As these are handmade, each piece may vary slightly. The fit between the lid and the body is excellent; covering the hole in the lid will stop the flow of water.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e*Tokoname Ware\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTokoname-yaki refers to pottery produced in the city of Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture. During the Middle Ages, it was Japan’s largest center for ceramic production, turning out not only everyday items like plates, bowls, and basins, but also large-scale vessels such as jars and urns.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eFrom the end of the Edo period (around 1858), the region began producing red clay tea sets and sake vessels. By the mid-Showa period (around 1962), specialized electric kiln technology for red clay ware had been established. Tokoname red clay teapots are fired at approximately 1100°C; the clay is better suited for electric kilns—which operate at slightly lower temperatures—than for traditional wood-fired kilns, which reach higher temperatures of 1200–1300°C.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eMillions of years ago, the Tokoname region lay at the bottom of an ancient body of water known as Lake Tōkai. As a result, the area contains fine-grained clay—such as the red clay used for these teapots—that is exceptionally well-suited for crafting such vessels. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTokoname possesses a concentration of the specialized skills required for crafting teapots—such as advanced forming techniques and a process known as \"suriawase\" (precision grinding), which ensures that a teapot’s lid and body fit together seamlessly. It is the largest production center for teapots in Japan.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"煎茶 中国茶 台湾茶向け 日本製急須\/茶壺専門店　東山堂","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68696403640601,"sku":null,"price":24200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0776\/8745\/6025\/files\/tokoname-seaweed-pattern-teapot-yt1-1.jpg?v=1794637861","url":"https:\/\/tozandosenchaki.com\/en\/products\/tokoname-yamada-tozan-seaweed-pattern-teapot-a-en","provider":"煎茶 中国茶向け茶器とお茶の専門店　東山堂","version":"1.0","type":"link"}