Tokoname: The Ancient Ceramic City That Shaped Sencha Brewing

The Rise of the Kyusu

During the Edo period (1603–1868), loose-leaf sencha gained popularity among Japanese tea drinkers seeking a less formal alternative to matcha. This preference called for a new vessel: one that could steep the leaves and strain the brewed tea.

Japanese potters looked in part to Chinese teapots from Yixing as a model, adapting the form to suit Japanese aesthetics and the practicalities of sencha brewing. What resulted was the kyusu—an elegant, low-profile teapot celebrated for its balanced form and functional design.

Teaware Shaped by Iron-Rich Clay

Tokoname is home to natural clay deposits formed from ancient lake sediments in the Chita Peninsula, where the remains of some 3,000 medieval kilns can still be found among the gently sloped hills. Rich in iron, quartz and mica, this clay develops a brick-red hue when fired in an oxidizing atmosphere. This fired red clay, also known as shudei, is a hallmark of Tokoname teaware.

Beyond its distinctive color, Tokoname clay is prized for its low porosity. Unlike more absorbent unglazed clays, it seasons gradually, allowing the teapot to maintain a relatively neutral character over time.

The Art of Firing

Although red shudei clay remains one of Tokoname’s most recognizable signatures, the teaware in this region can vary widely depending on surface treatment and firing method. Kokudei, for example, has a deep black hue created through reduction firing (a low-oxygen method), while mogake features one-of-a-kind flowing patterns created by wrapping seaweed around the vessel before firing. Yōhen refers to natural color variations created by flame, oxygen and the placement of each piece in the kiln.

These techniques give Tokoname teaware a striking range of finishes—from brick-red and classic to multicolored and expressive.

A Perfect Pour in the Making

The filter is one of the defining functional details of the kyusu. The most common filter styles are sasame, ceramesh and obiami. A sasame filter features perforations formed directly in the clay near the spout, preserving the all-clay character of the vessel and avoiding the unpleasant taste some associate with metal strainers. This style traces back to earlier methods of production, when artisans would carefully shape evenly spaced holes in the clay using simple hand tools.  A flatter, slightly concave version of its more rounded sasame counterpart, the ceramesh filter allows for a quicker pour with less clogging—a useful feature when decanting finer or more broken leaves, like those found in deeply steamed fukamushi sencha. The obiami filter, by contrast, is characterized by a fine metal screen set into the interior of the pot.

Tokoname’s artisans have continued to refine traditional filter-making techniques over the years. In some ceramic studios, for example, high-speed air is directed through a steel mold to create clean, precise perforations, ensuring an ideal angle and flow for ceramic filtration. 

How to Choose the Right Kyusu

When selecting a kyusu, first consider how you like to brew. Smaller vessels are well suited for focused, repeated infusions, while larger or rounder shinmaru teapots accommodate leafier teas and yield a larger serving per steep.

Handle style is another factor worth considering. If you appreciate a more traditional approach to brewing, the side-handled yokode kyusu—which was developed for easy pouring while seated on tatami mats—might be for you. If you’re more familiar with Western-style teapots, however, the back-handled ushirode kyusu may feel more comfortable for everyday use.

Finally, consider the artistic style. Each artist has a distinct visual language: some finish their vessels with delicate botanicals rendered in brushed clay slip, while others specialize in understated monochrome finishes. There’s a wide range of designs to choose from, so take a little time to find a piece you'll love for years.

Teaware Worth the Trip

Tokoname is one of our top teaware destinations for a reason—not just for its historic importance, but for the quality of its small studios, its distinctive regional clay and the remarkable skill of its multigenerational ceramicists. Many of the artists represented in our collection are award-winning ceramicists whose work is rarely accessible in the U.S. We are honored to share their beautifully crafted pieces with you. May you find one that serves you well for a lifetime.