Tokoname pottery
Tokoname Pottery
Tokoname is one of Japan's six ancient kiln sites, the Rokkoyo, with a pottery tradition stretching back over a thousand years. Located in Aichi Prefecture, the town produced functional ceramics for everyday use throughout the medieval period, and its reputation for fine-grained, high-quality clay attracted potters from across Japan. Today, Tokoname is best known internationally for its kyusu teapots, which are considered the finest available for brewing Japanese green tea and which are collected and used by serious tea practitioners worldwide.
The distinctive quality of Tokoname pottery begins with the clay. The local red clay, shudei, has a fine particle structure and a high iron content that gives finished pieces their characteristic reddish-brown colour and their beneficial effect on tea. When water is heated in or poured through a Tokoname vessel, the iron from the clay leaches into the water in trace amounts, altering its mineral profile in a way that softens astringency and enhances the umami character of green tea. This is not superstition, it is a well-documented chemical reaction that experienced tea drinkers can identify in a blind tasting.
Tokoname kyusu teapots are made in the side-handle style characteristic of Japanese tea culture, with a ceramic mesh filter integrated into the body of the pot rather than added as a separate strainer. The mesh is fired into the clay during production and allows the tea to flow freely while retaining all of the leaves. The fit of the lid, the quality of the filter and the balance of the spout are all indicators of quality in a kyusu, and the pieces in this collection represent the upper tier of what Tokoname producers currently make.
Tokoname pottery also makes some of the finest gifts available in the store, significant objects with genuine provenance and a centuries-long tradition behind them.
Discover more in our subcategories:
Discover our green tea selection to pair with your Tokoname teapot, or explore the full tea ceremony collection.
Tokoname pottery: Japan's ancient kiln town and its famous kyusu teapots, history, clay properties and how to care for your kyusu.
Showing 14 products
AVAILABILITY: Out of Stock
The Gyoko Tea Set is a complete Japanese ceramic tea service with a coordinated design, teapot and matching cups in a refined style suited to both everyday use and special occasion tea service. Contents Teapot + matching cups Origin Japan...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (500 items)
The Gyoku Tokoname teapot features a rounded form and a glossy green glaze. Crafted in Tokoname, its generous size suits sharing tea with guests. Style Tokoname-yaki (Aichi Prefecture) Capacity 370ml, 8.5cm diameter x 7cm height Filter Ceramic mesh (sasame) Care...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (500 items)
The Hakusan Kyusu Teapot is a classic Japanese kyusu from the prestigious Hakusan Porcelain brand - a clean, minimalist teapot with pure white porcelain and exceptional functionality for everyday Japanese tea. In the Box 1 Artisan Teapot Artist Hakusan Dimensions...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (1 item)
The Kama Tokoname teapot is a classic Japanese kyusu crafted in Tokoname. Its deep red Shudei clay naturally mellows tea, making every cup rounder and more aromatic. Brand Marufuku Style Tokoname Shudei kyusu Origin Tokoname, Japan Ideal for Sencha, gyokuro,...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (500 items)
The Kenji Tokoname Tea Set is a complete Japanese tea service in the Kenji refined Tokoname style - a coordinated kyusu and cups set that showcases the quiet mastery of Tokoname's centuries-old pottery tradition. In the Box 1 Teapot &...
AVAILABILITY: Out of Stock
Masterpiece Collection | Limited Edition Munenori Hand-Painted Chrysanthemum Tokoname Kyusu Experience the absolute pinnacle of Japanese tea preparation. Masterfully handcrafted in the historic ceramic city of Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, one of Japan’s legendary Six Ancient Kilns, this limited-edition side-handled Kyusu...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (1 item)
The Kokuyohen Teapot, rare Japanese ceramic kyusu with a deep black Kokuyohen volcanic glaze that shifts and shimmers with subtle colour variations. A collector-quality statement teapot. In the Box 1 Artisan Teapot Dimensions Ø3.7 x H2.7" (Ø9.5 x H7 cm)...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (500 items)
The Muji Tokoname Teapot is a minimalist kyusu in the spirit of Japanese Muji (no-brand, essence-only) design , a beautifully simple Tokoname clay teapot with no decoration beyond its honest material form. In the Box 1 Artisan Teapot Color Orange...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (2 items)
The Senkin Kyusu Teapot is a classic Tokoname kyusu with a Senkin refined clay finish - a clean, understated teapot that delivers exceptional everyday sencha and gyokuro performance. In the Box 1 Artisan Teapot Dimensions Ø3.3 x H2.8" (Ø8.5 x...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (500 items)
The Shousei Tokoname Teapot is a refined Tokoname kyusu in the Shousei style, a clean, polished finish on authentic Tokoname clay for producing excellent Japanese sencha and gyokuro. In the Box 1 Artisan Teapot & 1 Removable Filter Color Orange...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (2 items)
The Shunju Tokoname teapot is a refined kyusu with a dark polished finish, crafted in Tokoname. It pairs beautifully with Japanese greens and oolongs alike. Includes 1 teapot Capacity 460 ml (10×H15.5cm), black Filter Ceramic mesh (sasame) Care Hand wash...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (500 items)
The Tansen Tokoname Teapot is a classic kyusu from Tokoname with a refined Tansen style, a perfectly balanced side-handle teapot in authentic Tokoname Shudei red clay for exceptional everyday green tea. In the Box 1 Artisan Teapot Color Black &...