Midnight Ripple Kyusu

Slate-dark clay and a softly rounded silhouette give this compact kyusu a quiet, understated character. Fine, irregular horizontal markings run around the body, while closely spaced concentric lines cover the gently domed lid. The textured surfaces catch the light subtly, contrasting with the smooth finish of the spout and handle.

The body curves inward toward its base, creating a balanced, almost bowl-like shape. A small rounded knob sits at the center of the lid, while a slender spout extends at nearly a right angle to the side handle. The handle widens toward its open end for a comfortable grip. Made from unglazed black Tokoname clay, known as kokudei (黒泥), the teapot showcases the material's muted, charcoal-black tones.

Inside, a finely perforated multi-hole clay filter holds back the leaves during pouring. With its 100 ml capacity, this handmade kyusu is well suited to preparing small servings of Japanese green tea.

Explore more pieces in the Midnight collection: Midnight Echo Kyusu, Midnight Stillness Shiboridashi, Midnight Strata Cup.

Written by Sven

About Gyokko

Founded in 1961, Gyokko is a family-run shokunin pottery workshop in Tokoname, one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns. Now in its third generation, the studio produces handmade Japanese teaware, including kyusu teapots, shiboridashi and tea cups, combining traditional craftsmanship with precision, functionality and understated beauty.

The production of a Gyokko teapot involves around 40 steps, shared among experienced craftspeople. The body, lid, spout and handle are individually shaped and carefully assembled. Particular attention is paid to the fit of the lid, the angle of the spout for a clean pour, and the position of the handle for comfortable use. The result is teaware that combines the subtle character of handmade ceramics with the reliability and refinement of skilled craftsmanship.

Below is a video of our visit to the Gyokko workshop in Tokoname, where we commissioned the teaware pieces now available at the Nannuoshan shop.

Japanese teaware categories

Japanese teaware can broadly be distinguished into three categories: kikai, commercially produced teaware; shokunin, handmade pieces made by skilled craftspeople; and sakka, works by individual ceramic artists.

Gyokko belongs to the shokunin tradition, where a master develops original designs that skilled potters reproduce entirely by hand. The emphasis is on technical mastery, functionality, and ergonomics. Rather than creating one-of-a-kind art objects, the workshop produces carefully designed pieces that excel in handling and pouring, combining remarkable consistency with the craftsmanship of handmade teaware at an accessible price.

Learn more about the three levels of Japanese pottery in this video.