Japanese Kyusu Set

Japanese teapots, especially kyusu teapots, are traditionally designed for brewing Japanese green tea, where the built-in filter and wide body allow tea leaves to open fully and release their flavor. However, they can also be used for other types of loose leaf tea, such as oolong, white tea, or light black teas. The clay’s natural properties may slightly influence the taste, especially with unglazed teapots like Tokoname or Yakishime, which is often appreciated by tea lovers who enjoy deeper, earthier notes. For strongly flavored or highly aromatic teas, some prefer to keep separate teapots to preserve the pure flavor of each tea type.

To care for your handmade Japanese tea set, it’s best to keep things simple and gentle. After each use, rinse your teapot and cups with warm water (not hot water). No soap is needed, especially for unglazed pieces like yakishime or Tokoname kyusu tea pots, as soap can get absorbed into the clay. Let the teaware air-dry completely before storing to avoid any moisture buildup. Avoid using them in the dishwasher or microwave, as the high heat and detergents can damage the natural finish. Over time, your teaware may develop a soft patina from regular tea brewing, especially when brewing tea leaves like green tea. This is a sign of well-loved teaware and adds to its character. Handle each piece with care, and your teaware will continue to serve beautiful tea for years to come.

When choosing a gift for tea lovers, it helps to consider both their favorite types of tea and how they enjoy brewing it. For those who love brewing loose tea leaves, a handcrafted kyusu teapot or a traditional Tokoname teapot can be a thoughtful choice. If they enjoy the umami flavours of matcha, a beautifully made matcha chawan (tea bowl), paired with a bamboo matcha whisk, makes a meaningful gift for preparing and enjoying matcha the traditional way, for fans of roasted teas like hojicha green tea, simple, rustic teacups or yakishime teaware can bring out the toasty flavors of the brew. You can also look for complete sets, such as kyusu sets with matching cups, or unique handcrafted pieces that reflect the care and tradition of Japanese tea brewing. Whether it’s for daily use or special tea rituals, these gifts offer tea lovers something they can appreciate.

Yes, most kyusu teapots are designed with built-in filters, making them especially convenient for tea steeping. Traditional Japanese kyusu teapots often feature either a fine mesh filter made of stainless steel mesh or a handcrafted ceramic filter built directly into the teapot. This built-in filter helps keep the tea leaves inside the pot while allowing a smooth, steady pour. Because of this design, kyusu teapots are ideal for brewing Japanese green teas like sencha, gyokuro, or hojicha, offering an easy way to enjoy loose leaf tea without the need for separate strainers.