As with all unglazed ceramics, wash with warm water and a soft cloth only. Do not use detergents or put in the dishwasher. Pat dry with a towel and/or leave to air dry naturally.
Yuzamashi
Tokoname Yohen
Jinshu
SKU
1644
Yoshi En has recently grown out of Sunday Natural to become an independent premium tea store. As part of this transition, some products may still be shipped in Sunday Natural packaging.
Handmade Yuzamashi pitcher with braided vine handle and subtle Yōhen colour gradations by the renowned Tokoname-yaki artisan, Jinshu. Yuzamashi are used for cooling hot water when preparing premium Japanese green teas such as Gyokuro and Kabusecha, which require lower brewing temperatures.
| Product | Yuzamashi water cooler, brown |
| Origin | Tokoname, Aichi, Japan |
| Maker | Jinshu 甚秋 / Seiji Ito 伊藤 成二 |
| Volume | 260ml |
| Dimensions | L12.5cm x W10cm x H6cm (H with handle: 10.5cm) |
| Weight | 150g |
| Material | Ceramic |
| Finish | Unglazed (Yakishime 焼き締め ) |
| Decoration | Ombré (Yōhen 窯変 ) |
| Production | Potter's wheel (Rokuro 轆轤 ) |
| Artist mark | Signature on base |
| Packaging | Cardboard box |
Each piece is handmade and unique, therefore colour, volume, dimensions and weight may vary slightly.
Jinshu 甚秋
Founded by Minoru Ito in 1955, Jinshu Tōen is a ceramics kiln in Tokoname that is now represented by Seiji Ito (b.1949), the second generation of Jinshu. A much sought-after certified Traditional Craftsman, he began his career as a potter at the age of twenty initially focusing on teacups before turning his hands to Kyusu teapots.
Combining form and function, the teapot that defines Jinshu is the multi-award winning Hira (“flat”) Kyusu. Shallow with a wide base, its shape enables tea leaves to spread out across the increased surface area to enhance the aroma and flavour, besides helping cool down hot water faster with the greater exposure to air. For these reasons the Hira model is perfect for brewing fragrant green teas at lower temperatures.
Apart from the red Shudei clay that Tokoname is famous for, Jinshu also uses white and black clays, sometimes mixing them together to produce unique results. Embracing materials and techniques indigenous to his hometown, characteristic Jinshu finishes include Mogake: wrapping seaweed around the clay before firing to produce fine, thread-like patterns; a spotted effect by sprinkling powdered oyster shells – a byproduct of local seaweed farming; as well as his signature matte finish using Chara: a coating with properties between a glaze and an engobe.
Yuzamashi 湯冷まし
High quality loose leaf teas, such as Gyokuro and Kabusecha, require a lower brewing temperature to bring out their sweetness, and the Yuzamashi – literally “hot water cooler” – does just that. To prepare tea in the traditional way: first pour the boiled water into the teacups to warm them up, then transfer the water into the Yuzamashi for further cooling before pouring over the tea leaves in the Kyusu teapot.
Tokoname-yaki 常滑焼
Pottery has been produced in the city of Tokoname, Aichi prefecture, as far back as the 12th century, and since 1976 has been protected as a Traditional Craft of Japan. Tokoname was the site of the largest and oldest of the legendary Rokkoyō (六古窯): the “Six Ancient Kilns” of Japan, and is celebrated for its iron-rich Shudei clay that turns a bright red after firing. When fired a second time in a reduction oven, the red Shudei turns black – another characteristic colour of Tokoname-yaki. Traditional Tokoname Kyusu teapots are unglazed on the inside, allowing the tannins in the tea to interact with the iron in the clay body, which is said to reduce astringency and highlight the sweetness of green teas. Another key feature of these Kyusu are the perfectly fitting lids, which are ground into the clay body after firing in a technique known as Suriawase.
Yōhen 窯変
Written as “kiln change”, Yōhen refers to the variations in colour and texture on the surface of ceramics that happen during the firing process. This is a feature found across various Japanese pottery styles including Tokoname, Shino, Bizen and Tenmoku. Within Tokoname-yaki, the typical two-tone Yōhen effect can be achieved by firing the ceramic item for a second time in a reduction furnace, but by partially burying it in rice husks or ashes, only the exposed part changes colour.
