Shitoro-yaki Kyusu

Description

A traditional kyusu made with impeccable craftsmanship breathing new life into the day-to-day  practice of brewing delectable loose leaf tea.

This handcrafted kyusu (急須) is an elevation of the mundane. Kyusu are daily fixtures of Japanese life, but those of this caliber join form and function, allowing you to brew with a handcrafted work of art. 

The rustic, natural coloration found within the lustrous glaze of this kyusu is derived from the interaction between the glaze and the tangible peaks and valleys of the ceramic’s surface. This topography allows for the glaze to express an array of shades and hues that recall a late winter or early spring landscape ripe with the anticipation of warmth and the vibrance of spring. Paired with the full shape of the kyusu itself, the piece has an unpretentious, joyous feel. 

Rito Aoshima’s handcrafted kysu is a stunning example of Shitoro-Yaki. This style of Japanese ceramics originated in the area of Japan the Sugimoto family calls home and utilizes local, iron-rich clays. 

This kyusu comes in a kiribako (桐箱) made from paulownia wood. 

About the Shitoro-Yaki Teaware

Shitoro-Yaki (志戸呂焼) refers to the pottery style of a small region in southwest Shizuoka Prefecture, dating back to the 12th Century. The center of this style is a town formerly known as Kanaya (金谷), which is also the home of the Sugimoto family. Clay from this area is high in ferric oxides, represented by yellowish and reddish hues in the clay and glazes. Pottery in this style often showcases the color and character of this clay, encouraging us to appreciate rustic simplicity and focus on the subtleties that make every piece unique.

Kobori Enshu, a tea master in the Edo Period (17th Century), loved Shitoro-Yaki and certified it as one of the "Enshu Nana Kama" (7 pottery-styles of Enshu).

About the Artist

Rito Aoshima (青嶋利陶) is a 2nd generation potter, whose father started the current studio in which he works. The studio was created to revitalize the Shitoro-Yaki style and preserve its over 900 year history. The kiln was built as a Noborigama (rising kiln), which has multiple levels staggered vertically to achieve an extremely hot firing temperature. Rito Aoshima studied pottery in Seto (a famous location for pottery), before returning to Shizuoka to study in the Shitoro-Yaki style. Later, he has assumed his father's studio and kiln, and continues to make teaware for tea ceremony, as well as other vessels with a focus on elegance.

Please note that each item is exquisitely hand-crafted and unique so the shipped pieces may not exactly match the photo.  

Care Instructions:

• Hand wash only.
• Do not use a harsh scrubber.
• Do not put in the dishwasher or microwave.

SKU:

RITO-TPOT