Japanese teapot? You can pack socks around it.

[ellenkushner]

If you've been wondering what to bring me on your next trip back from Japan - may I suggest a red clay teapot?  Kind of like this one, but without the dorky painting?   Over there, they are very cheap.  We had one I loved, but I broke it.  (Note:  Tile kitchen floors are charming, but bid farewell to anything you drop on one.)  I've been looking everywhere here for one, from the Japanese Mall in New Jersey to various online places - but apparantly they are just too commonplace to bother importing.  

Ours was a bit more lowslung - and smallish, so that it held just 2 cups of tea, which is perfect for 2 people, as the technique is to pour out each pot before refilling it.

Just sayin'.

P.S.  Of course I'll pay you back!  I'm shameless, but I'm not that shameless.

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

That is a sweet teapot. I can see why you miss it. I don't know how to help-- but i do know how it is to loose your teapot.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

I am absurdly touched. Thank you.

We had another one that was really pretty, and I broke that, too.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

I used to be the god of breaking teapots. I broke all my own, and all my friends' too.* My best friend had a lovely Chinese teapot; first I broke the spout, but he mended it, so then I broke the lid. But he mended it again, so then I broke the lid again. Differently.

Also, I once broke the bottom off one of my own, by dropping the lid inside the pot. It oughtn't to be possible, but there you go. It was a little miracle.

*(I'm better now, before you decide to disinvite me for always from your home.)

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

"dropping the lid inside the pot"
Clearly, Chaz, you have powers beyond those of mortal man.

[summer-queen.livejournal.com]

As it turns out ... I will be in Japan next week, and will also be attending Faerie Con, so should I find one, could hand it over to you then. I won't have much time for shopping, but I always shop at multiple branches of my favorite tea shop (Lupicia), so I will keep my eyes peeled.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

HOLY CRAP! I THINK I HAVE TO MARRY YOU, NOW!

Many thanks. I think we got ours at Lumine - or at the Street of the Cheap Restaurantware in Tokyo. I don't think it was more than about $15. Please don't go out of your way; but if you see one, grab it! And I will be most grateful at Faerie Con.

[summer-queen.livejournal.com]

Score! A Japanese friend knows exactly where to get them for a reasonable price near her home. So one will indeed be obtained while I'm there. ^_^

[summer-queen.livejournal.com]

Teapot has been obtained and is back in the U.S.! Will bring to the con for you, unless you would like it mailed now?

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Awesome. No rush - looking forward to the handoff at Faerie Con (and how many times in one's life does one get to write a sentence like that?!)!

[summer-queen.livejournal.com]

Heh!

Work and other things have conspired so that I will only be there on Saturday afternoon, so my current plan is to meet up with Mia (who has my ticket) before things get under way that afternoon and then head straight for the Welcome to Bordertown panel. Hopefully I can give it to you after?

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear you only get 1 day - but I'm liking the sound of this little rendezvous!

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

You beat me to it, but I can provide backup. I have a 4-day trip to Yokkaichi, Japan next month, returning Thursday, October 21, just one day home, and then a trip to the US which starts with a few days in New York. Also, though my office there is about a 2 minute walk from the hotel, I happen to know there's a shop between the two that sells teapots (I bought one there last trip for about $10, though it's more black than red - more like the oolong pots they sell in Taiwan for oolong tea). So if for some reason you're unable to buy one, let me know.

[dramaturgca.livejournal.com]

Tea! What sorts of teas do you like?

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

Daiso seems to have something like that. You can get 12, just in case.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but those are, like, $50. I want the cheap dimestore variety, so I dont' have to be scared to use it - and because there's something very comforting and solid about the earthy little critters.

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

It's a kyusu Tokoname teapot. Try searching those terms.

You want specifically the Tokoname type because those are red clay. Here's a great web page.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

God, those are breathtakingly gorgeous. I want them ALL!

But first I want a cheap shabby little one for Everyday Use.

[lunacyandanchor.livejournal.com]

Hi! My name is Darcy. I live in a very historic part of Japan. I'd love to help you out. Let me know if you're interested! My email is wyverneye at gmail dot com.

[wolfsilveroak.livejournal.com]

Republic of Tea has a lovely teapot similar in style- http://www.republicoftea.com/banko-oribe-glazed-teapot/p/V01034/ , but not red.}:)

[enleve.livejournal.com]

There are some stores in Japan that sell green tea internationally that also have some teapots.

For example:

http://www.o-cha.com/green-teas/teapots/
http://www.yuuki-cha.com/japanese-teapots

I have this little one, and I like it a lot.
http://www.yuuki-cha.com/japanese-teapots/ougi-gata-banko-yaki-houhin-teapot

The prices on those sites are a little higher than I remember them being earlier this year. Perhaps this is because the yen has risen against the dollar recently.