Botan Kyusu, Japanese Teapot

Botan, meaning peony. A carved peony on red clay.

The Botan Kyusu is a Tokoname teapot in the classic red shudei clay, its body carved with a large peony flower and leaves and two leaves on the lid, the carving left unglazed so the flower reads in the clay itself. A wide stainless mesh basket sits inside for brewing loose leaf, and it lifts out the moment the tea is right. The side handle is held in one hand with the thumb resting on the lid, so pouring to the last drop is a turn of the wrist. At 600 ml it is the big pot: a table of four or more, or a jug of iced genmaicha for the fridge.

Tokoname, in Aichi Prefecture, is Japan's teapot capital and one of its oldest pottery towns, with about 900 years of kiln history. Its iron-rich red clay, shudei, is known for softening tannin, which is why tea people seek out a Tokoname kyusu.

Made in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

Volume: 600 ml

Care: empty the leaves after each pot, rinse with hot water only, no detergent, and dry with the lid off.

Please note: shape, colour and capacity vary a little from pot to pot. That is the nature of handmade Japanese ceramics.

Ships Australia-wide and worldwide, with free Australian shipping on orders over $100. See the full range of Japanese teapots, or read how to choose a kyusu if this is your first pot.