Blossom Tokoname Kyusu Teapot

A handmade Tokoname kyusu in a soft dusty rose matte glaze. The side-handled form fits comfortably in one hand, and the controlled pour from the spout makes short steeps of delicate green teas feel natural. It's a small, light pot, that earns its place on the counter for daily use rather than getting saved for special occasions.

This is a small teapot at 400 mL (about 13.5 oz), enough for one Western mug or four small Japanese-style cups, depending on how you like to drink. Either way, it's the right size to brew, drink, and re-steep without anything sitting around getting cold or over-extracted.

The Blossom is built from the same iron-rich Japanese red clay that has made Tokoname the standard for green tea pottery for centuries. Handmade by skilled artisans in Tokoname, Japan. Available in very limited quantity.

Pair beautifully with our Japanese Green Tea Collection for sencha, gyokuro, or genmaicha or with our Origin Reserve Collection for the full single-origin range.

Features

• Capacity: 400 mL (about 13.5 oz)

• Brews about one Western mug or four small Japanese-style cups

• Material: Iron-rich Japanese red clay from Tokoname

• Finish: Soft dusty rose matte glaze

• Side handle (yokode) design for one-handed pouring

• Removable stainless steel mesh filter

• Handmade in Tokoname, Japan

• Hand wash only with hot water and a soft pad; no soap, dishwasher, or microwave

A Traditional Japanese Teapot from Tokoname

Tokoname is a coastal city in Aichi Prefecture, on Japan's Chita Peninsula. It's one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, with a pottery tradition dating to the Heian period (794 to 1185), and today it's the largest producer of functional teapots in Japan. Tokoname yaki is a nationally registered traditional craft.

Why a Yokode Side-Handle Kyusu Teapot

Kyusu is the Japanese word for teapot, and the yokode (side-handle) form is the design most closely associated with Japanese green tea. The 90-degree angle between handle and spout gives you precise one-handed control of the pour, the kind of control that delicate green teas need when the difference between 30 and 60 seconds of steeping changes the cup. The handle also stays well clear of the body, so even a hot pot is comfortable to hold.

Brewing Japanese Green Tea in a Kyusu Teapot

The Blossom is the perfect size for traditional green tea preparation: enough room for several short, careful infusions of the same tea leaves, which is how green tea is meant to be brewed. Bring water to a boil, let it cool to the right temperature for what you're brewing, add tea leaves to the pot, pour, and serve. Then re-steep two or three more times.

A few starting points by tea:

• Sencha and fukamushi sencha. Around 175°F (80°C), 60 to 90 seconds for the first infusion. Fukamushi (deep-steamed) sencha brews even faster.

• Gyokuro. Cooler, as low as 140 to 160°F, with longer steeps of two to three minutes.

The removable fine mesh infuser keeps the tiniest tea leaves out of your cup while letting them open fully in the body of the pot.

Care Instructions

A few small habits will keep your kyusu looking and pouring its best for years.

• Rinse with hot water and a soft pad after each use. Avoid soap to maintain the matte finish on the exterior.

• Make sure the pot is fully dry before storing.

• Remove and rinse the mesh filter separately so leaves don't dry into the screen.

• Hand wash only. Do not use the dishwasher or microwave.

FAQ

What is a kyusu, and how is it different from a Western tea pot? Kyusu is the Japanese word for teapot, and in modern usage usually refers to the side-handled yokode form. It's the traditional Japanese tea pot for green tea, typically smaller than a Western teapot (100 to 360 mL) and designed for short, multiple infusions rather than one long brew.

Where does the kyusu come from? The form was inspired by Chinese teapots from the Song Dynasty (960 to 1279), brought to Japan by merchants and monks, and adapted into its own tradition. Kyusu became standard in Japanese households in the 18th century alongside the rising popularity of sencha.

Is 400 mL the right size? Yes. The Blossom sits at the upper end of the traditional kyusu range and is the perfect size to brew one Western mug or four small Japanese-style teacups across multiple short infusions.

Why hold the lid while pouring? The lid sits loose on top of the pot, so it's traditional to keep one finger lightly on the lid as you pour. You'll get used to it after a few cups!

Is the interior glazed? Yes. The glazed interior makes the Blossom easy to clean and lets you brew a wider range of teas without the pot taking on character from one tea family.

Can I use it for any tea? Yes. The pot is built for Japanese green tea, but the fine mesh filter handles a range of loose leaf styles, from greens to oolongs to lighter blacks.

Is it dishwasher safe? No. Hand wash only with hot water and a soft pad. No soap, no dishwasher, no microwave.