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Serving green tea from clay kyusu teapot into two porcelain Japanese teacups set on red brown Ippodo Tea wooden marubon tray

How to Pick the Perfect Kyusu Teapot

Written on October 10, 2019 (updated on April 08, 2023)

Brewing loose leaf tea isn’t difficult, but a few special tools makes it even easier. And with centuries of artistic tradition behind them, Japanese tea-making tools are just the thing to turn your at-home tea cupboard or office nook into a calming, beautiful tea room.

Kyusu: The Japanese teapot

‘Kyusu’ is simply the term for Japanese teapots designed for brewing Japanese tea. It is both an art object and a tool, and like a chef’s knife or artist’s brush it should feel like an extension of your hand. Small details in a teapot’s design can make a big difference in how it brews, so when designing our line of kyusu, we gave special attention to a few key factors.

  • A fine filter built right into the spout, giving the leaves ample room to unfurl and infuse as you steep.
  • In our ceramic kyusu, a traditional hollow handle, which is light and comfortable to hold and doesn’t draw heat away from the pot, as that would throw off the brewing temperature.
  • Handles placed at the side of the pot—perpendicular to the spout—an ergonomic position that makes it easier to pour.
  • Carefully shaped spouts that minimize drips as you pour, to make sure you get every last drop.
Ippodo tea glass teapot

Choose your style

Our teapots come in a wide range of materials designed to give each a unique, lively character. Our Hakuji Kyusu's ice-white color leaves a cool impression, while matching with any set of teacups. A flat, wide-mouth porcelain pot brings a modern sensibility to any tea table. Transparent glass is especially lightweight and lets you watch loose leaves dance as they brew. And our fully handmade Yakishime Kyusu’s rough, rustic finish will develop a rich patina over time.

Hakuji Kyusu (10oz)

Hakuji Kyusu (10oz)

Porcelain
Porcelain Kyusu (4oz)

Porcelain Kyusu (4oz)

Porcelain
Glass Teapot (24oz)

Glass Teapot (24oz)

Glass
Yakishime Kyusu (8oz)

Yakishime Kyusu (8oz)

Ceramic
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