Types of Japanese Teapots | A Guide to Kyusu, Houhin, and Shiboridashi

A look at the main three types of Japanese teapots: kyusu, houhin, and shiboridashi, along with their primary differences and uses.

00:00 - Introduction
00:50 - The three types of teapots
01:34 - Houhin vs Shiboridashi
02:57 - Kyusu overview
05:05 - Shapes of kyusu
06:53 - Styles of kyusu
09:42 - 4 common ceramic filter types in kyusu
12:44 - Pouring with a kyusu
13:54 - Houhin overview
15:32 - Shiboridashi overview
18:12 - Final notes

Teaware Shown:

Asahi-yaki Houhin: coming soon


Links:

Find us here:

[mgrtz]

I'm an American potter who has made English and Japanese style teapots. I've only ever made the round shape Kyusu with the spherical filter and it quickly became my favorite style of teapot to make and to use. That being said I really enjoyed hearing about all the other styles of Japanese teapot and the pros and cons of each. Thank you for this excellent video!

[MarkTodd-yczd]

You are like the James Hoffmann of tea and I love it! Please keep making videos, they are very relaxing and informative.

[Idiomatick]

Under 1k subs? This was really well presented!

[PallasAthene]

Very informative, without being pretentious or condescending with your knowledge. Subscribed!

[paraumbrella]

beginner friendly and very informative, thank you for sharing the considerations that go with using the different teapots. it's fascinating to learn the different types and how they are made. please make more videos like these!

[eskapiste]

it is very pleasant to see how you touch these pots while telling us stories about them (for example 7:42). such unity with subject and nature is very unique. thank you.

[dwightmansburden]

I received a sampler assortment from you guys, and it looks fabulous. I’m excited to give good green tea a try.

[gnomebodyknows]

this video was so chock-full of information and wonderfully communicated. Thanks so much! keep up the great work 👍

[swade]

Very good video. In Japan I purchased a kyusu and shiboridashi but couldn't remember the second name. My shiboridashi is taller so it looks more like a Chinese gaiwan rather than the flatter style you had.

[oldones]

David, your passion for tea is infectious 😊

[Kirilixx]

Just came back from Japan and Uji and got HOOKED on Matcha and Japanese green teas! Amazing and informative channel, keep going 🫶

[deano]

Such wonderful information and detailed. Thanks so much for sharing.❤

[Jr-jxyv]

Thank you very much for the extremely informative video this really helped in understanding more of the type I want before going over to Japan. If you have time to answer a question i would love to hear your response. I am wanting to buy a kyusu in Japan for Japanese teas as well as Chinese teas such as Oolong and some Puers. I know you mentioned the marugata can be used for it but can the hiramuragata also be used for these teas?

[swschilke]

In the filter section of the video the ceramic filter have been almost invisible.

Maybe using a spot led light or a led light in the spout could help to illuminated the filters better

[DPatCanton]

Do you cure the unglazed teapots in any way before the first use?

[lolasanchari]

Thank you, really enjoyed this informative, to-the-point video! I saw some really flat 100ml kyusu teapots with the handle - how do they compare to the shiboridashi in terms of usage? It seems they would be as good for sencha and gyokuro as the shiboridashi pots? I’m just starting out with my tea journey and wondering what pot I should get for Japanese green teas - any advice would be much appreciated!

[milady_kazuko]

I have a porcelain shiboridashi (the love of my life! 🤭) I can brew anything on it! From japanese sencha to chinese oolongs, you name it (though my fingers lost heat sensitivity over the years 😅)

[swschilke]

Isn't the first black tea pot (Shiboridashi) a bit like a Gaiwan? Or a bit Gongfu chan vibe? Could you elaborate on the differences in a video. Also black Japanese tea would be an interesting topic, regards

[doankimanh]

Do I need to boil the teapot before use? Some people told me to put the new teapot inside a large pot filled with water and boil it for 10 minutes to prevent cracking in the future 😢.

[raczyk]

Does the Kyusu have to be made out of clay? What are the benefits of clay vs lets say glass?