Bizen Yaki Teapot with Strainer | Japanese Pottery Hohin | Kyusu for Loose Leaf Tea | Clay Ware Shiboridashi | Wabi Sabi Teaware Japanese Teas

The Story Behind This Piece:

This tiny Houhin teapot concentrates the essence of Bizen ware, which is made of high-quality, iron-rich clay mined from the mountains near the border between Okayama and Hyogo prefectures, fired at high temperatures over a thousand degrees Celsius for days and nights without any glaze. The most significant feature of this piece lies in the fusion of its outstanding sculptural beauty and practicality. Its appearance harbors the powerful vitality of the earth itself, which stands out precisely because all unnecessary decorations have been stripped away, conveying the craftsman's precise breathing the moment you hold it. This Houhin was discovered deep inside a vast storehouse attached to a 150-year-old traditional folk house of a wealthy farmer, nestled in the mountainous area of northern Hiroshima Prefecture, where rich nature and ancient history breath. This region suffers from severe cold in winter, but this temperature difference produces pure water and a unique culture. From the sharpness of the design, the sharp ceramic stamp engraved on the bottom, and above all, the refined structure in which the precise modern stainless steel tea strainer fits beautifully, it is clear that this work was specially tailored to the modern lifestyle by a skilled Bizen ware artist who strongly inherited the spirit of the Mingei folk art movement in the late Showa period, specifically from the 1970s to the 1980s.

The first owner of this Houhin was a refined intellectual who contributed to the cultural development of the region in northern Hiroshima Prefecture and was known as a local prominent figure. In the late Showa period, Japan was in the midst of rapid economic growth, and while the world was leaning toward efficiency and mass-produced goods, he dared to advocate restoring the warmth of handcraft to daily life. On weekends, he would invite local intellectuals and artists to the back parlor of this old folk house, and using this Houhin by the hearth, he would serve exquisite sencha green tea. The microscopic pores inside Bizen ware absorb excess impurities from the tea, having the effect of making the water mellow. The handleless Houhin was a tool for creating a truly luxurious time, allowing one to feel the temperature of the hot water directly with their hands while waiting for the tea leaves to open slowly. The stainless steel tea strainer was the latest ingenuity at the time, incorporated as an innovative practicality to pour beautifully and smoothly without clogging, even with fine tea leaves such as deep-steamed green tea. For him, the act of brewing tea with this Houhin was an important ritual to step back from the busy modern society and tune his own mind.

However, in the 1990s, after his passing, the Japanese lifestyle changed even more drastically. Convenient canned and plastic-bottled tea swept the market, and the lifestyle habit of brewing tea carefully using a teapot or Houhin rapidly disappeared from general households. His belongings were organized, and this wonderful Houhin was also stored in a specially made paulownia box and placed in the storehouse of the old folk house in northern Hiroshima Prefecture. Inside the storehouse, the humidity is kept constant throughout the year and light is blocked, making it the perfect environment for storing art and antiques. In this way, the Houhin, harboring the memory of the rich tea culture of the Showa period, continued to sleep for about forty years in the storehouse wrapped in silence, without being seen by anyone.

Time passed, and in the modern era of 2026, when sorting was conducted to pass down the tradition of this old folk house to the next generation, this Houhin miraculously emerged from the deepest part of the dusty storehouse. What we in modern times face is a dizzying digital daily life and a life surrounded by overflowing plastic products. That is why the people who witnessed this moment of bringing it out of the storehouse were fascinated at first sight by the overwhelming presence of this Houhin. The surface of the Bizen ware, awakened from its long sleep, bore deep shadows, as if it had breathed in the smoke of the hearth from those days or the harsh winter air of Hiroshima. The reason why this Houhin has reappeared before us now is to breathe the Mingei folk art value of "genuine handcraft" back into modern life.

This Houhin has no gorgeous colors. However, the more it is used, the more it absorbs the oil from human hands and the components of the tea seep in, creating a unique gloss and smoothness, allowing one to enjoy the aging process unique to Bizen ware. That is nothing less than the essence of wabi-sabi, which forms the core of Japanese aesthetics—the spirit of finding eternal beauty precisely within imperfection and transience. The built-in stainless steel tea strainer perfectly accommodates a variety of modern tea leaves, proving that it is not merely an antique for appreciation, but the finest tool that can be used in daily life right now. A masterpiece of the late Showa period that the storehouse in northern Hiroshima Prefecture has carefully protected. It is a beautiful bridge that connects the past, present, and future lifestyles through a single cup of tea.

Condition & Notes:
Please note before purchasing.
This is a vintage or antique item sold as-is.
Due to age and long-term storage, natural signs of wear and aging may be present, including:
* small scratches or scuffs
* fading or discoloration
* glaze irregularities or imperfections
* crackling (crazing), kiln marks, or gold wear
* slight warping or age-related changes in wooden parts
Vintage and antique items may also carry natural storage-related scents from wood, paper, lacquer, smoke, or long-term preservation environments.
These characteristics are part of the individuality, historical character, and quiet beauty that vintage Japanese items carry.
They are not flaws, but the gentle traces of time.
We kindly ask for your understanding that vintage and antique items differ from newly manufactured products.
We do our best to show all notable details in the photos, but some small imperfections may not be fully visible.
Please review the dimensions carefully before purchasing, as photos may make items appear larger or smaller depending on display settings and shooting conditions.
Please note that colors may appear slightly different depending on lighting conditions and screen settings.
Only the items shown in the photos are included unless otherwise stated.
Display stands, decorative props, or accessories used for photography are not included unless explicitly stated.
Thank you for appreciating the character and spirit of these timeworn pieces.

Dimensions:

■Main Body
Height: 7.7 cm (3.03 in)
Width: 9.9 cm (3.90 in)
Depth: 8.3 cm (3.27 in)
Base Diameter: 5.6 cm (2.20 in)
Rim Diameter: 7.0 × 7.0 cm (2.76 × 2.76 in)
Maximum Circumference: 28.5 cm (11.22 in)
Weight: 135 g (4.76 oz)
■Tea Strainer
Height: 3.8 cm (1.50 in)
Width: 7.5 cm (2.95 in)
Depth: 7.5 cm (2.95 in)
Weight: 10 g (0.35 oz)

Shipping Information:
All items are shipped from Hiroshima, Japan.
Orders are usually dispatched within 3–5 business days after payment is confirmed.
For shipments to the United States, we use DHL Express or UPS with full tracking and insurance.
For all other destinations, orders are shipped via DHL Express, UPS, or Japan Post EMS depending on the destination and shipping conditions.
Each item is carefully packed with protective materials to ensure safe delivery.
Estimated delivery time is approximately 7–14 business days depending on customs procedures, local delivery conditions, weather disruptions, and customs inspections.
International Buyers – Duties, VAT & Taxes:
Import duties / customs duties are covered by us for all available shipping destinations.
However, VAT, GST, consumption taxes, customs processing fees, carrier handling fees, and other local import-related charges are not included in the item price unless otherwise stated.
These charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
Depending on your country’s regulations, these charges may be collected either by local customs authorities or by the shipping carrier upon delivery.
For many higher-value international orders, VAT/GST and import-related processing charges are commonly collected at the time of delivery.
Please note that free shipping or customs duty coverage does not mean that VAT/GST or local import-related charges are included.
Even when customs duties are covered by us, VAT/GST and local import-related charges may still be payable separately by the buyer upon delivery.
We do not mark items as gifts or under-declare their value for customs purposes.
Please ensure that your shipping address and contact information are accurate and complete.
If a package is returned due to an incorrect address, unpaid VAT/GST or import-related charges, refusal, or failed delivery, all return and reshipping costs are the buyer’s responsibility.
International deliveries may occasionally experience delays due to customs procedures or local postal conditions.

Damage During Shipping:
In the unlikely event that your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 10 days of delivery and provide clear photos of:
* the damaged item
* the outer shipping box
* the inside packaging condition
* the shipping label
Please keep all packaging materials and damaged items until the shipping carrier completes the investigation.
Minor imperfections consistent with the nature of vintage or antique items are not considered shipping damage.

Returns & Refunds:
All items are vintage or antique and sold as-is.
Due to the nature of vintage and antique items, we generally do not accept returns, cancellations, or refunds except where required by law or covered by shipping insurance.
Returns or refunds are not accepted for reasons such as:
* change of mind
* customs delays
* minor differences in condition
* color differences
* texture variations
* size impression differences
* natural signs of age and wear
However, if severe loss or damage during shipping is officially confirmed by the carrier’s insurance, we will respond within the scope of the insurance coverage.
For customers in the UK and EU, applicable consumer protection laws and cooling-off rights will take precedence where required by law.

Safety & Usage:
These items are decorative vintage or antique pieces intended for adult collectors.
They are not toys and are not suitable for direct food use.
Vintage ceramics may contain historical materials or glazes that do not meet modern food safety standards.
We cannot guarantee suitability for modern food, beverage, dishwasher, microwave, oven, or direct cooking use.
Please enjoy them as decorative objects that bring quiet beauty and history into your space.
Handle with care and avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, direct sunlight, or heat.

Liability Disclaimer:
We cannot be held responsible for any accidents, damage, allergic reactions, injury, loss, or issues resulting from the use, handling, aging, restoration, transportation, or storage of vintage or antique items.
All products are sold as decorative vintage collectibles, and customers are responsible for proper handling, display, usage, and storage.
By completing your purchase, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.

Additional Notes by Region:
■ United States
State taxes, such as Sales Tax, may be collected according to local regulations.
California Proposition 65:
Some vintage items may contain historical materials such as natural lacquer, pigments, metals, or antique finishes. This notice is provided for informational purposes only.
■ European Union (EU)
Our shop is not registered for IOSS or EU VAT collection.
Import VAT, customs processing fees, handling charges, or other import-related charges may be collected upon delivery according to local regulations.
These charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
■ United Kingdom
Our shop is not registered for UK VAT collection.
Import VAT and related charges may be collected upon delivery.
The buyer will be considered the importer of record for customs purposes.
■ Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand
Import VAT/GST, customs processing fees, handling fees, carrier fees, or other import-related charges may apply according to local regulations.
For Taiwan:
Registration with the EZ WAY app may be required for customs clearance.
■ Hong Kong
Hong Kong currently does not generally impose VAT/GST on imported goods.

Contact Us:
If you have any questions regarding our items, shipping, usage, dimensions, or condition, please feel free to contact us before purchasing.
We’re happy to assist you and will do our best to respond as promptly as possible.
Thank you for considering a piece from our kura — each item carries a quiet story shaped by time in Japan.
This piece is part of our curated collection discovered in rural Japan.
On our official website, we share:
– the story of the kura (traditional Japanese storehouse) where this item was discovered
– background on how similar objects were once used in everyday life
– exclusive collections and pieces not listed elsewhere
We hope these objects will continue their quiet journey with you.