Japanese Teaware - Trip to Tokoname in Japan

► Join Our Notification Squad: meileaf.com/subscribe/
We visit Tokoname in Japan to pick up some Japanese teaware. From the famous Kyusu to the Shiboridashi, Japan has some unique tea wares which are very different to Chinese Gaiwans and teapots. We meet a Tokoname master craftsman and observe the process of creating of the traditional Japanese teaware.
Interested in the Japanese teaware?
Red Spiral Tokoname Clay Kyusu: meileaf.com/p/jp-rstk
Scorched Black Tokoname Clay Kyusu: meileaf.com/p/jp-sbtk
Green Feather Tokoname Clay Pot: meileaf.com/p/jp-gftp
Seashell Porcelain Tokoname Yuzamashi: meileaf.com/p/jp-spty
For the other teaware in the video please send us a message.
To taste our Kanaya Midori Sencha: meileaf.com/p/tea-kmsc
Deep dive into the processing of Japanese Green tea
• Understanding Japanese...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shop online: meileaf.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join us on Instagram
/ mei_leaf
Tweet along with us
/ mei_leaf_tea
Write some friendly graffiti on our Facebook wall
/ meileaf

Пікірлер: 223

  • @johnmontoya2398
    @johnmontoya23982 жыл бұрын

    I've lived in Japan for the past 20 years. Three years ago, I discovered your channel accidentally; I've been in love with tea ever since. I am currently studying with a tea master in Japan....for 5 months. This journey is amazing. My goal is to grow tea for myself and family and be able to process it all by hand. Thank you so much.

  • @JacobGoodwinMusic

    @JacobGoodwinMusic

    2 жыл бұрын

    That sounds like a dream!

  • @vertex2720

    @vertex2720

    Жыл бұрын

    I am a Tea consultant

  • @ZacharyBraun
    @ZacharyBraun6 жыл бұрын

    Are you kidding, Celine's pick (#7) is incredible! #8 is also stunning.

  • @norabellerose8560
    @norabellerose85603 ай бұрын

    I’m actually tearing up because the passion in making the kyusu’s is just so beautiful and breath taking.

  • @FrenchGuyCooking
    @FrenchGuyCooking6 жыл бұрын

    The Candy Shop

  • @Jirdoo2

    @Jirdoo2

    6 жыл бұрын

    Alex! What's your favourite tea?

  • @madman1052

    @madman1052

    6 жыл бұрын

    What's you favorite tea pot Alex? Also love your channel! You have inspired my cooking a lot!

  • @fanaticalpotato
    @fanaticalpotato6 жыл бұрын

    Two videos in one week! You are spoiling us, Don and Celine.

  • @kingrichardiii6280
    @kingrichardiii62804 жыл бұрын

    That pot maker really shows his skill in that demonstration. any one who has never done work off a pot wheel you have to keep and maintain a sturdy posture and hold it steady to resist the force of the wheel, but if you are too hard you may damage the piece or off set the clay. if you let the clay over power you that is when you start to lose control and risk the whole piece collapsing, very tricky especially when thinning the pots walls which must be consistent not only to make sure the pot works right but difference in wall thickness may damage the pot when firing or if it is bad enough chunks may fly off and damage other pots being fired with the faulty piece. and this guy looks as if he is blasting through it.

  • @satan15107291
    @satan151072916 жыл бұрын

    I love the simple elegance of the first kyusu. The color is wonderful and I love its simplicity.

  • @teaformeplease
    @teaformeplease6 жыл бұрын

    I definitely love the shibo the most. Japanese teaware has such an understated elegance to it that I really enjoy.

  • @66tritri66
    @66tritri666 жыл бұрын

    I love the Scorched Black Tokoname Clay Kyusu n°2

  • @user-xx7pg3vw9k
    @user-xx7pg3vw9k5 жыл бұрын

    Kagoshima sencha is literally the best in the world imo. At this point, it's so distinctive to me I could pick out blind folded. That being said, different farms produce differences from year to year and local to local.

  • @alskndlaskndal
    @alskndlaskndal5 жыл бұрын

    I really like the classic #1! I think the squashed oval shape of the classic kyusu is so beautiful and I absolutely love the rich, red/orange color of that type of clay.

  • @Gottrahmen
    @Gottrahmen6 жыл бұрын

    My favorite is hands down #2. I own another kyusu by Gyokko, and I just love his style! Very understated and functional, rustic but modern at the same time. Also a great size for one person.

  • @mrwatermelon3221
    @mrwatermelon32215 жыл бұрын

    It is a real pleasure to watch the traditional Japanese Teaware being made by the master. Love the simplicity / distinction in the wrist action described in the video too i.e. 7:03. Thank you again for sharing these wonderful videos that you put together .. ;) Xx p.s. All the Teaware in the video is beautiful. Numbers 2 and 5 are my favourites .. :)

  • @quint4817
    @quint48176 жыл бұрын

    No. 2 and the Shibo were definitely my favorites. Smaller volumes are much more useful.

  • @brickbuilderx2316
    @brickbuilderx2316Ай бұрын

    I’d love to go to Japan and pick out a handful in person, I have a couple that I’ve had shipped from Japan, and I absolutely love them. Pick whichever one depending on how I am feeling at that particular time. I also like consuming tea from smaller sized cups, primarily to experience different depths of flavor, though there are a few teas I prefer to not let steep for too long.

  • @enzoma7253
    @enzoma72536 жыл бұрын

    Wow, the shibori dashi is amazing! Definitely gotta get one of those for gyokuro!

  • @0Templegoddess
    @0Templegoddess6 жыл бұрын

    This vid is great! Thank you so much Don and Celine! So incredible to watch that master potter, inspiring and relaxing.

  • @Fraxxxi
    @Fraxxxi6 жыл бұрын

    Ooh, a second video this weekend, and for the second time just while I am drinking one of your teas. Cheers!

  • @stephaniecoyner130
    @stephaniecoyner1306 жыл бұрын

    They are all beautiful, but the last one, #8 I think, is stunning ❤️❤️

  • @SnurpyTheCat
    @SnurpyTheCat2 жыл бұрын

    Teapot #8 is so lovely

  • @gavinmarshall2228
    @gavinmarshall22284 жыл бұрын

    This is absolutely mesmerizing... thanks!

  • @bellaa8477
    @bellaa84776 жыл бұрын

    This was great inspiration! thank you Mei Leaf

  • @annelinna6508
    @annelinna65086 жыл бұрын

    I really need #5 in my teaware collection! And Celine's picks are absolutely stunning, especially #8. Love it!

  • @stephenpepper1790
    @stephenpepper17902 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely mesmerizing to watch him work the clay

  • @JanetHamm1961
    @JanetHamm19613 жыл бұрын

    I like the red one. ❤

  • @thatgirljo2119
    @thatgirljo21196 жыл бұрын

    I absolutely obsessed with your channel...so much knowledge!

  • @robertdillon9989

    @robertdillon9989

    3 жыл бұрын

    Aa

  • @taifu13781
    @taifu137816 жыл бұрын

    The shibori dashi is also very cool! As is the classic teapot shaped one. Selene's inner artist is showing with her choices

  • @michaelamaestas4950
    @michaelamaestas49506 жыл бұрын

    Lucky you, how wonderful !

  • @BrandonMagloire
    @BrandonMagloire6 жыл бұрын

    Just Lovely. Kyusu number 3

  • @000GunterGabriel000
    @000GunterGabriel0006 жыл бұрын

    So nice to find some Japanese tea culture in your vids!

  • @beanbun5793
    @beanbun57936 жыл бұрын

    your videos are incredibly imformative. thank you so much!!

  • @TheVigilantStewards
    @TheVigilantStewards5 жыл бұрын

    That was phenomenal, his skill is very relaxing. I know you don't ever answer youtube comments, but I wish I could buy some of these for green, white , and jasmine tea. I love these videos

  • @samrapp2991
    @samrapp2991 Жыл бұрын

    The beginning is fascinating to watch, would have liked to see the tea pot come together instead you abruptly stopped it

  • @nicolekollman
    @nicolekollman Жыл бұрын

    just found your channel....I love it!!!

  • @kenmhilkyong707
    @kenmhilkyong7072 жыл бұрын

    Wow love the 2nd to the last and the last one no.7 wow! Love that and no 8!💗😊

  • @elephantear7659
    @elephantear76593 жыл бұрын

    Wow really great presentation with much information to consider and experiment with, very fascinating and much appreciated.

  • @HBMcgarrigle
    @HBMcgarrigle6 жыл бұрын

    #2 and the shiboridashi. Those are my favourites!

  • @katystraw
    @katystraw6 жыл бұрын

    I wish I could travel with you guys! Love the videos 💚 I’m starting my first pottery class in January. It would be great to learn from master like this.

  • @kityac9810
    @kityac98106 жыл бұрын

    I would go with 5 & 8 if I were to pick. But all of them were just lovely.

  • @laikeatlim8261
    @laikeatlim82614 жыл бұрын

    Like the green feather pot.

  • @adamsvetlik6636
    @adamsvetlik66366 жыл бұрын

    finally japanese green teas :)

  • @cutiepiedaina
    @cutiepiedaina6 жыл бұрын

    Wow #8 is incredible

  • @Mephistopheles019
    @Mephistopheles0196 жыл бұрын

    Great video, and I see you're trying to break into the crazy high viewership pottery market. Seriously, the amount of pottery videos with 200k+ views is nuts. As always, thanks for the content!

  • @giuseppecapilli1954
    @giuseppecapilli19543 жыл бұрын

    Stunning presentation!

  • @emreyildirim9472
    @emreyildirim94722 жыл бұрын

    Ahh yes, #7 and #8 are unmistakably Shunen pots. Amazing pieces of art, very expensive though.

  • @ingz3768
    @ingz37685 жыл бұрын

    Kyusu No.2 hands down!!!!!!!

  • @grater32
    @grater326 жыл бұрын

    I like number 2 and 5. Especially the shiboridashi. My favourite sencha is from Asamiya. Tastes like fresh cut grass and white chocolate.

  • @mariajesusleighton6853
    @mariajesusleighton68536 жыл бұрын

    Kyuzu n.4 for me, I loved the explosion of colours, the shibori dashi for a good Gyokuro and Celine's pick are lovely as well but way to floral for me. I want them all haha

  • @katharinafischer5395
    @katharinafischer53956 жыл бұрын

    It's so true - The more you get into tea, the smaller the Teaware you prefer! I'd go for Kyusu Nr. 2 or the Shiboridashi Nr. 5

  • @TeaKeiOu
    @TeaKeiOu6 жыл бұрын

    The Shibo is stunning 💪🏻

  • @kassiatoure4756
    @kassiatoure47566 жыл бұрын

    1,5,7 were stunning

  • @lidab4489
    @lidab44894 жыл бұрын

    Love your No seven teapot

  • @joshuetortega3572
    @joshuetortega35726 жыл бұрын

    loved this vid don,

  • @pde442
    @pde4426 жыл бұрын

    Amazing video

  • @teahead8813
    @teahead88136 жыл бұрын

    8 is my favourite number, so definitely kyusu no. 8!

  • @mauroguasti9694
    @mauroguasti96943 жыл бұрын

    Amazing documental one of the best I had been saw ... Congrats ! all of the kyusu are just spectaculars ... number 8 is a dream, like magic !!!

  • @rosebudsue3056
    @rosebudsue30566 жыл бұрын

    Don: just discovered your website and am in the process of learning about the art of tea brewing. All your vids are super informative and it proves you know and love your tea traditions. Recently we received a plethora of different teas from clients. Knowing my love of tea I accepted this very graciously. However, I cannot read the instruction on the tea cans once my husband brought them home. Here is the list if you can identify them: 1725 Tie Guan Yin, Bama Tea, Jin Jun Mei/Zhong Guo Ming Cha. From your topics, the SCOPE to teas is endless. See!!! I am learning. Over the years we have received clay pots that have been embellished and carved with plum flowers, one actually has an indent in the clay with a beautiful scene. All have that unique crystal sound, one is a Yixing pot, another a purple clay pot (all lids fit perfectly and the entire pot in symmetrical). They seem to have an artist stamp signature on the base. Lastly we received an absolutely exquisite detailed amber teapot with amber cherry blossoms entwined over the entire surface (handle, top and sides). It is so delicate that I do not believe it could possibly be used for anything but decoration. Some day I will have it appraised. I also think they gave me a tea pet but how can I tell if that is what it is. Between jade, ivory figurines (before the ban of ivory) and cloisonne vases that we received as well as inks and grinding stones, various rice papers since I am an artist...everything oriental is intriguing. Am I asking too much if you can recommend books on the history of Chinese tea pots, like the clay pot masters you showed while visiting in China, or any other jade, ivory figurines and cloisonne vases. You seem to be the best source I have found that has such extensive knowledge in Chinese history. A reliable source of recommended books will be such a help. Thank you so much. Happy Tea Time!

  • @MeiLeaf

    @MeiLeaf

    6 жыл бұрын

    Hi. It sounds like you have some nice pieces. The books that I have seen which relate to clay potters are in Chinese so I am afraid I can't help you much. The tea is a TGY and a Jin Jun Mei and I have done videos about both of these teas. Check them out and you can compare visually with your tea. The 1725 refers to when the technique for the ball rolled oolong was supposedly invented in Fujian. The Zhong Guo Ming Cha is a list of the top teas on China (the type of tea rather than any particular producer) and Jin Jun Mei is practically always on that list since it was created but as I said in my video there are many JJM's which are very pretty but not worth the price and we prefer the darker types.

  • @MeiLeaf

    @MeiLeaf

    6 жыл бұрын

    We do have a few books on ancient Chinese ceramics so if I find anything I will write to you. Thanks!

  • @rosebudsue3056

    @rosebudsue3056

    6 жыл бұрын

    Mei Leaf ...Thanks, Don. We will be experimenting with each tea for taste but I am unfamiliar with what TGY means. Is it a type of tea or a brand? All this is so new and very difficult to learn because of crossed languages.

  • @rosebudsue3056

    @rosebudsue3056

    6 жыл бұрын

    TGY is the abbreviation of one of the teas I mentioned. So now I gotcha, OK! Certainly easier to use acronyms. Thanks

  • @kenmhilkyong707
    @kenmhilkyong7072 жыл бұрын

    2022 just seen this,love to know this all coz i love teas!💗😊

  • @Salaaran
    @Salaaran6 жыл бұрын

    Kyusu 1 and 2 I would say, though I would have to say that I also like the shape of the more expensive and elaborate ones

  • @onixxx1984
    @onixxx19846 жыл бұрын

    After brewing the tea it is a good idea to put the lid back a bit sideways so it lets the steam escape and does not stew the leaves so it will stay fresh for the subsequent infusions.

  • @petra.andersen
    @petra.andersen6 жыл бұрын

    I love pot 7. From your selection, my favorite would be the little kyusu, I usually drink tea on my own or with my daughter so smaller pots are more our style. If the dark pot with green pattern was only 150ml, I would love that one also. I love my minipots :-)

  • @denisesheehan9189
    @denisesheehan91896 жыл бұрын

    I looove YiXing Gong Fu teaware but find Sencha cups practical for daily use. Oolong, Jin Jun Mei and Genmaicha are my favorite for daily drinking. Informative video!

  • @jricexcad98
    @jricexcad986 жыл бұрын

    Kyusu n.1 is my fav😍

  • @ossy43
    @ossy436 жыл бұрын

    I like Tokoname #1, as matter of fact I own one 350 ml and it's great. I love the red color and the simplicity of the design. And drink my tea on a Matsuba yunomi of 100 ml

  • @annathy
    @annathy4 жыл бұрын

    Amazing. I would be honored to purchase one.

  • @Fgaru1
    @Fgaru16 жыл бұрын

    That shiboridashi OMG, DO WANT.

  • @desertfox432
    @desertfox4326 жыл бұрын

    Great vid! I love how your editing and music tracks are becoming. Pot No.2 is my favorite. Attractive and functional. Would even be more attractive if slightly smaller. -Enjoyed with the peppy Malt Geazer

  • @Koato
    @Koato4 жыл бұрын

    Awesome.

  • @csikomas8910
    @csikomas89106 жыл бұрын

    I love Celine's choice #7, and #8, a true ceremonial accent for tea brewing, but I would have to save up for them. :) I really appreciate that you've shown these Japanese pots and explained them. I really enjoyed the vid and I love knowing the differences. I didn't realize that when I am not using my gong fu system, (your recommend, so thank you), I was performing the Japanese method with the larger cup. As you said, you need to get all the tea into one cup or waste the brew, as you can't let the leaves soak, it ruins the next infusion. Since my tea journey began I have taken over 3 big shelves at home and therefore I tend to do things a little different each day, different combinations of vessels, which I love. Different pots evoke different emotions, I find, aside from the change in the brew. I love that water cooling vessel you showed, so cool, that I could use for the green teas, which I can't seem to get right. Thanks Don and Celine and all the tea heads that work for you and support this channel. So worthwhile. :) cheryl

  • @666aron
    @666aron3 жыл бұрын

    I'm usually a sucker for the simplest design in tea ware, so my logical choice would be the dark kyusu #2, unless I get really mesmerized, then I would pick #8. Just like how I ended up with a red porcelain tea set with golden dragon, instead a simple coffee brown one :)).

  • @suzisaintjames
    @suzisaintjames6 жыл бұрын

    I like all 3 of the pots you brought back to England equally. It's interesting that the most conservative of the 3 sold first. The one with the spiral is beautifully simple but too simple or modern for my taste. The one with the green leaves is a bit busy... Not simple enough for me. Just my opinion. I don't currently own one and am not an expert. This is just what I like. xoxo from Arizona USA.

  • @krutonsbproductions
    @krutonsbproductions6 жыл бұрын

    1 and 2 are my favorite. Simplicity is better :)

  • @pascaleevasameli
    @pascaleevasameli6 жыл бұрын

    I'm so glad to see your "blend" of Gongfu & Japanese way of brewing. I do exactly the same but I always felt a little guilty about it 😉... That black Kyusu, does it pour well? Might the spout be a little too narrow? It probably is perfect but it looks a bit dribbly... Love your videos, by the way 😄

  • @Paula-dy8vm
    @Paula-dy8vm6 жыл бұрын

    No.7 and 8 are really beautiful! But I don't think I could afford it... no.2 really nice also

  • @TheAlexandraKass
    @TheAlexandraKass6 жыл бұрын

    I just bought a shiboridashi yesterday and I am absolutely in love. Use it mostly for oolongs though

  • @laszlotorday4790
    @laszlotorday47906 жыл бұрын

    Amazing video! Great job again! You keep me motivated! Greeting H.Potter (Roxfort) :)

  • @kwool5151
    @kwool51516 жыл бұрын

    #5 and #8 are my favourite

  • @onixxx1984

    @onixxx1984

    6 жыл бұрын

    Kelvin Woo Artisticnippon has those two, bit it is like 380 usd , if you have the buget go for it.

  • @TheGrpgrp
    @TheGrpgrp6 жыл бұрын

    I like most the first (red) and the green more teapotlike thing :)

  • @TheGrpgrp

    @TheGrpgrp

    6 жыл бұрын

    But all ar beautiful!

  • @WardStroud
    @WardStroud6 жыл бұрын

    5! Exquisite!!!

  • @biergischt
    @biergischt Жыл бұрын

    I actually got some small tokoname clay cups today (around 30ml). I often also use a gong dao bei as well. The issue with those small cups in combination with a gong dao Bei and japanese teas is though, you usually brew japanese teas at a really low temperature. That means the last two shots from the gong dao bai are usually way to cold. But damn, I love those new cups already. So I need to find a really small Shiboridashi or kyusu now.

  • @kingo55
    @kingo55 Жыл бұрын

    #7 hands down.

  • @LadyGTarot
    @LadyGTarot4 жыл бұрын

    I have two favorites - 2 and 8

  • @forestque1531
    @forestque15316 жыл бұрын

    Kyusu #2 💚

  • @andresvgn
    @andresvgn6 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful art! It's so mesmerizing looking the pottery wheel. Have you ever use one?

  • @Fraxxxi
    @Fraxxxi6 жыл бұрын

    My favorite is #6 (although the color does come through a lot better on the website than in the video), followed by #2.

  • @shelleymitchell7912
    @shelleymitchell79124 жыл бұрын

    i likesd the red clay number 1

  • @nyanazulu8756
    @nyanazulu87564 жыл бұрын

    N7 and 8 are my favorite for the cups it depends of my mood

  • @kinghazzah
    @kinghazzah6 жыл бұрын

    By the way there are some Japanese black and oolong teas now being produced. I’ve tried them and while different from Chinese and Indian teas they’re quite lovely in their own right and worth a try! Hagi teaware products are also quite nice pieces of art and there is also the Bizen style which is fired with actual fire to give that nice individual artistic non glazed scorched look. Japan like China has many styles of art and teas, an art in itself!

  • @yogirise2669
    @yogirise266911 ай бұрын

    EXCELLENCE! TY! ♥ ARIGATO GOZI MASU! NIHON ♥ I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE 1, 2 & 5. I LOVE TINY TEA WEAR TOO!

  • @johnb7189
    @johnb71896 жыл бұрын

    Wow at those pottery skills! Pots 2 and 5 would be my favorites. How versatile would the gyokuro pot be for other green teas?

  • @Malthan
    @Malthan6 жыл бұрын

    In order of preference: 8 4 2 3 5 1 6 7. The 8th one is lovelly, I prefer the darker kyusus and the white petals contrast great with the clay. From the less premium ones I liked the 4th one the most. I have to visit Tokoname next time I'm in Japan, I was afraid to do it during last stay because I already had a lot of ceramics bought in other places filling my suitcase :)

  • @CrimsonSun88
    @CrimsonSun886 жыл бұрын

    Very cool! Thanks for sharing. Question. What are your thoughts on brewing with 99.9% silver tea ware? I hear it brightens the notes for certain teas.

  • @janetday5431
    @janetday54314 жыл бұрын

    No. 7 was my favorite. How can you pick just 4, I would have lost my mind in that shop.i simply love tea pots.i have all styles ,Japanese as well. I've their shape as well. Tea leaves are so nice.

  • @irragrams
    @irragrams3 жыл бұрын

    Recently bought a Hokuryu 180ml black kyusu similar to number 2 here. I was skeptical at first about how tiny it was but after several brews... WOW! A f*cking machine.

  • @suzisaintjames
    @suzisaintjames6 жыл бұрын

    As far as the pots 1-10 and not knowing the cost... let's say I could pick one as a gift... I like #3. It's perfect for every day, yet not so plain like #1. I guess #3 is fancy in a modest Japanese fashion. #4 is for every day as well, but a little too modern for me, if I was going to get one, I'd want a traditional one. I was attracted to #8, but that one would be definitely for company. The decoration is almost too much. So I would choose #3. xoxo from Arizona USA.

  • @ladyhangaku2072
    @ladyhangaku20726 жыл бұрын

    Heyho Don, thank you so much for your in detailed video, I enjoyed it so much :3 I'd like to know your opinion about water filtration. Do you think, it brings advantages for the tea? Or is it not worth it, because many minerals will get lost in the process of filtering? Thank you!

  • @TheVigilantStewards
    @TheVigilantStewards5 жыл бұрын

    I like the styling of 7 and 8, the size of two, and the characteristics of 3, 4, 5. . . I would be really OCD about lining up the detail on the lid with it's corresponding shape on the body so I don't think I'd want one of those just for that reason haha. I didn't mind the first one, but the aesthetics of it were not quite as pleasing in regards to size of spout and handle. If it was the size of number two that would have been fine. REALLY REALLY, I just want a kyuso so I can brew greens and whites and stuff in clay. I love cooking in clay, I don't mind using the Hario glass teapot but clay is really satisfying.

  • @matthewwoo6684
    @matthewwoo6684 Жыл бұрын

    I finally got a kyusu so I feel like I can brew my Japanese tea ^^ Trying that in a gaiwan + filter has been distressing haha

  • @Skye_Writer
    @Skye_Writer4 жыл бұрын

    #4 and #8 definitely, not that I can afford either one, lol!

  • @saffron1996
    @saffron19963 жыл бұрын

    you should give asatsuyu a try! (especially cold to lukewarm brew) i feel youd probably like it...