Sienna Hearth Kyusu

Bright terracotta-red clay and a rounded, almost spherical body give this kyusu a warm, inviting presence. The lower half is covered in fine, irregular horizontal markings reminiscent of weathered bark, while the upper rim and gently domed lid feature delicate concentric lines. Together, these contrasting textures lend depth to the otherwise simple form.

A short, narrow spout projects from the body at almost a right angle to the elongated side handle, which widens toward its open end. The lid is topped with a small, raised knob, and its neatly fitted rim follows the teapot's softly curved silhouette. Made from unglazed red Tokoname clay, known as shudei (朱泥), the surface retains the natural character of the material.

Inside, a finely perforated multi-hole clay filter helps retain tea leaves during pouring. With a capacity of 165 ml, this handmade kyusu is a practical choice for preparing Japanese green teas.

Explore more pieces in the Sienna collection: Sienna Horizon Kyusu, Sienna Echo Kyusu, Sienna Dawn Shiboridashi, Sienna 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.