Hakusan Kyûsu 200 ml

Stoneware

This handcrafted kyûsu by Katayama Hakusan impresses with its exceptional coloring and harmonious form. The surface features a gentle color gradient, beginning at the upper body in a warm yellow-green to olive green and continuously transitioning into dark brown and black tones towards the bottom. This gives the pot a natural depth and presence reminiscent of weathered stone or moss-covered landscapes.

The simple, balanced form draws the eye to the finely tuned color gradient, while the dark lid echoes the lower part of the pot and harmoniously rounds off the overall appearance. The unglazed surface has a pleasantly silky feel and emphasizes the natural character of Tokoname clay.

Inside, the kyûsu features an integrated ball filter (Ceramesh), which reliably retains the tea leaves and allows for a steady pour.

With a capacity of approx. 200 ml, the pot is ideal for preparing high-quality Japanese green teas in several small infusions.

Katayama Hakusan (3rd generation) was born in Tokoname in 1949 and comes from a long-established family of ceramicists. The Hakusan workshop was founded by his grandfather as early as 1935. After graduating from the Tokoname Ceramic School, he completed his apprenticeship under his father, Katayama Tadayoshi, a renowned master of traditional craftsmanship.

Hakusan is one of Tokoname's renowned tea ceramicists. For decades, his works have been exhibited at Japan's leading exhibitions for tea ceramics and traditional craftsmanship and have received numerous awards. Among others, he received encouragement awards from the Japan Tea Ceramics Exhibition, the jury's special prize at the Chōzaburō Ceramic Award, and the Tokoname Prize. In 1988, the city of Tokoname honored him for his contributions to regional culture, and in 2007, Aichi Prefecture recognized him as an Outstanding Artisan.

His works have been exhibited, among others, at Expo 2005 Aichi, the World Ceramic Exposition 2001, and the World Ceramic Biennale Korea 2008. In addition, works by Katayama Hakusan are in the collection of the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum.

Katayama Hakusan is particularly known for his masterfully crafted kyûsu as well as for the traditional mogake technique, in which seagrass leaves characteristic reddish markings on the clay during firing. His works combine Tokoname's centuries-old ceramic tradition with the highest level of craftsmanship and a natural, serene aesthetic.