This elegant houhin (handleless teapot) is thrown in a classic shape from Asahi-yaki’s signature hanshi (燔師) clay, dug from Shirakawa and Oriiyama in and around Uji. Coated in a simple transparent glaze, the warm tones, hue gradients, and spots all come from the clay itself as it is rapidly heated to around 1400°C in Asahi-yaki’s wood-fired climbing kiln. The small white spots form as tiny bubbles from within the clay rise to the surface. In many ceramic traditions, this pattern of spots is called gohon/gohonte in reference to the early Korean gohon chawan that first featured them. However, in Uji, this pattern is often called kase (鹿背 - deer back) as the spots are reminiscent of the back of a young deer. 

Asahi-yaki’s houhin is the pinnacle of this style of teapot. First made by their 8th generation master Chōbe, they have continued to refine and improve his original design over the centuries and now this houhin is one of their signature pieces. The do-ake style direct filter features 150 small holes, allowing for quick and effective straining of the leaves. The wide, streamlined spout makes pouring smooth and elegant, especially when coupled with the extra large air hole on the lid, which allows air to quickly flow into the pot to replace the tea being poured. The lip on which this lid rests also is made with exceeding attention to detail. Above the filter, it is extended into a ‘crescent moon’ shape, which helps prevent tea from leaking out from under the lid while pouring. On the opposite side, the lip is reduced to a bare minimum, making it easier to empty out the leaves when you’re done brewing.

Before using it for the first time, it is recommended to soak the piece in water for 10 minutes. This will dislodge any dust from the clay as well as slow down the natural development of patina in the glaze.

This piece was made by the skilled craftsmen at the Asahi-yaki studio and wood-fired in their climbing kiln.

Asahi-yaki (朝日焼) are a world-renowned pottery studio located at the foot of Mt. Asahi in Uji. Their founder produced wares for the tea ceremony in the late 16th-early 17th centuries, at the height of chanoyu’s artistic development, and his works were loved by chajin Kobori Enshū (who succeeded Furuta Oribe and Sen-no-Rikyū as leading tea master). Since then, Asahi-yaki have continued to make wares that capture Enshū’s aesthetic philosophy of ‘Kirei-Sabi’, which is a more refined take on Rikyū’s ‘Wabi(-sabi)’.

Today, they are headed by 16th generation potter Matsubayashi Hōsai XVI who leads his studio in producing wares for both the Japanese tea ceremony and for the brewing of loose-leaf teas. They continue to use local Uji clay, mined from the surrounding hills, which they call ‘hanshi’. Since the 8th generation head, they also make sencha and gyokuro wares out of porcelain from Kyūshu.

Dimensions:

10cm (3.9in) - width
7.5cm (3in) - height
150ml - capacity

Condition: New

This Japanese item ships from the United States.