Kyusu Tea Pot by Ryumonji Pottery

These kyusu style teapots were made by potters at the Ryumonji collective in Aira, Kagoshima.

Ryumonji-ware is a branch within the Kuro-mon tradition of dark clay stoneware in the old Satsuma region.  A base decoration clay (or slip) is placed onto the surface of this surface, followed by further glaze trails.  This trailing technique includes the ‘sansai nagashi’ (three-colour trail) which is particularly associated with Ryumonji.

These kyusu are variations on this theme, and are suitable for leaf or bagged tea.  (A hand made perforated dome on the inner of the spout, retains the tea leaves within the vessel).  The handle, spout, body, dome and lid and made separately by the potter and then assembled with quick action.  The base clay and glaze trail are then applied, before the pieces are fired in a traditional wood fired kiln that is lit several times per year.  Every raw material used in the making and firing process is sourced close to the kiln.

The side handle allows you to angle all of the tea away from the leaves during the pour, although you should remember to place your hand on the lid.

The pots are handmade, within some variations, but are around 10.5cm in diameter, and 9.5cm high.  They weigh around 580g, and will hold 330ml.

About Ryumonji Pottery Cooperative

Sourcing the ingredients for their ceramics in their immediate area, and firing them in a wood fired hillside kiln, Ryumonji-ware is connected to Kagoshima’s land, and to the history of its ceramics.

With history dating to the early Edo era, Ryumonji-ware is one of the lineages in so called ‘black’ Kagoshima ceramics. In contrast to the ‘white’ work that was characterised by its finery, and provided to the rulers of the domain, the ceramics made at the Ryumonji kilns were for use in everyday life. It developed a rustic beauty, and a quality that began to be truly appreciated in the 20th century. Despite this, ceramics in the region was under threat, but ultimately preserved by the creation of the pottery cooperative.

Ryumonji-ware is known for the excellent quality of its white base decoration clay, and for pattern work such as green and caramel brown trailing, or blues onto blacks. The potters make Kagoshima classics such as the ‘choka’ vessels used for serving the local shochu spirt, and use distinct firing techniques and locally found materials to achieve their shark skin effect glaze. As such the work in Ryumonji-ware is a tradition alive and evolving.