Sawa Houzan: Shigaraki-yaki Shiboridashi Yokode Kyusu Teapot for Two

Shiboridashi (literally "squeeze out") teapot is like a houhin (literally, "treasure cup", a small kyusu tea pot without a handle used for brewing gyokuro or high-quality sencha).

This particular shiboridashi teapot made by Shigaraki-yaki potter Sawa Houzan is unique in taking the shape of a shiboridashi, and turning it into a regular yokode kyusu (side handle teapot).

Like a normal shiboridashi teapot it does not have a strainer, using instead the slits near the spout as a strainer, keeping the brewed tea leaves in the pot and pouring out only the liquid.

All the details are handmade, a work that is made possible only by Sawa-san's expert craftsmanship. The glaze is applied in the kanyu style (crackle) to create a network of fine cracks that will age through staining as you use the pot (the unglazed portions of the pot will also age by staining). Enjoy the simple and elegant ware that will offer you a new experience of tea brewing.

Product info

• Name: Shigaraki-yaki Shiboridashi Teapot for One
• Artist: Sawa Houzan 澤鳳山
• Size: height - 105 mm (4.13 in), diameter - 125 x 175 mm (4.9 x 6.9 in), Volume - 350 cc (11.8 fl oz). Measurements are approximate.
• Material: Ceramic
• Style: Shigaraki-yaki 信楽焼
• Region: Shiga Prefecture, Japan
• NOTE: Color may not be exactly as photographed.
• TEA POT STAINS - Note that tea may stain the tea pot with dark color including filling in the cracks of the outer glazing, aging the tea pot in a unique manner. If you would like to reduce this staining, you may try to "stain" it white first by using a medome (目止め) technique.
• Care: do not microwave, do not use in dishwasher, do use diluted soap and hand wash with a soft sponge, dry carefully with a soft cloth. 
• IMPERFECTIONS - nothing is perfect, especially when handmade. In the Japanese wabi-Sabou aesthetic, imperfections are a form of beauty. In our People-to-People philosophy, it is a representation of the fact a human has made this product. Small spots and other “variations” should be expected. However, there are more than 10 minor spots, stains, or other unintuitive variations or variations larger than 1 cm in size we will consider the product defective and eligible for return.

Vendor Info

• Name: Zousan Tea
• Location: 3-62 Minakuchicho Takatsuka, Koka, Shiga 528-0011, JAPAN

About the Artist: Sawa Houzan

Sawa Hozan’s pottery studio is located in Shigaraki-cho, Koka city. The city is located in the southeastern part of Shiga prefecture, famous for Japan’s largest lake Biwako.

Master potter Sawa Houzan’s father Gisaburo was a turner in a Kyoto pottery studio. In 1950, he split off from the studio and opened his own kiln under the name of Sawa Houzan, later moving the pottery studio to his hometown in Shigaraki-cho, Koka city of Shiga Prefecture.

Sawa Harumi, the son of Gizaburo, inherited the kiln along with the name, continuing his father's tradition of creating art under the name Sawa Houzan. The 2nd Sawa Houzan also has a son and successor, Masayoshi, and together they produce the beautiful Shigaraki-yaki teaware and tableware acknowledged and loved by many in Japan and around the world.

The Town of Shigaraki

Although Shigaraki is famous as a potter’s town, it is also known as tea growing region (Oumi-cha and Asamiya-cha). Asamiya-cha has a long history of 1200 years and its origin dating back to 805 AD. Many tea fields are still seen today. Having a long history as a tea production region, it was natural that a practical but beautiful pottery tradition was born.

In addition to the Shigaraki-yaki ceramics tradition, Koka is also known for being home of the Koka ninjas. Several ninja residences still stand today and are open to public. The exterior looks identical to a typical Japanese-style farmhouses built at that time, but once inside, it is constructed with special and secret features such as hidden passages and trap doors built to protect the ninjas from outside enemies.