Seiji Ito Teapot Set

A handmade teapot set made by master craftsman Seiji Ito in Tokoname in Aichi, one of the most important centres of pottery and teaware in Japan. Mr Ito has been making teapots for over 30 years and has created innovative new styles and shapes using his own blends of clay that reference Tokoname’s past but also point towards a bright future for the area. Recently he has had several successful exhibitions of his teapots and teaware in Taiwan and China, where many of the shapes for Tokoname teaware originate.

The basic version of this set comes with a pot and three tasting cups, while the full set also comes with a yuzamashi (cooling/pouring jug), a tea caddy, a tea scoop and a teapot lid rest.

Unlike his kyusu, this teapot is round in shape and is ideal for use with oolong teas, but will also work well with other teas. The pot has a multi-hole filter built in which ensures a smooth, fast pour. The cups and scoops are irregularly shaped and silvered on the inside with a pattern individual to each cup, while the outside has a diagonal lattice cloth-pattern scratched into the surface. The caddy is also silvered on the inside and could either be used to store green tea to keep it fresh, or to age oolongs in.

Dimensions: Teapot – 100ml, 6.5cm height, 6cm diameter, 10cm spout to handle
Teacup ~ 25ml to rim, 2.5cm height, 5.5cm diameter

Yuzamashi – 115ml, 4.5cm height, 7.5cm diameter, 11.5cm spout to handle
Caddy – 7.5cm height, 6.5cm diameter (at widest point)
Scoop – 8cm long, 3cm wide
Lid Rest – 3.5cm height, 3.5cm wide