Posted 4 years ago
kwqd
(1159 items)
Took a break from Outlander, just finished re-watching season three and starting season four. Really dry here and my eyes are rebelling so decided to rest them and put together the new shelves for my teapot collection and toss them on to it. I have posted about two thirds of the kyusu (teapots) and most of the nabeshiki (trivets) to CW. I don't have enough to fill the shelves, yet, though I have three very interesting ones in the mail which should just about fill it, so plugged the holes with okimono and teacups made from cast iron and pottery. This shelving gave me some well needed organization in the black hole corner of my kitchen and I was able stack some emergency kitty supplies at the bottom and layer my large jars for storing various mixes in on top of that. It is nice that teapots are no longer scattered around the house. Teapots made by Japanese foundries Iwachu, Oigen and Oitomi are represented. Makers of two kyusu are unidentified.
I secured the shelf to the window frame so there should be no accidents. I was going to buy a set of bamboo shelves which are about three times the cost of this set, but decided I would go with this cheaper set until I decide if this was a good idea, or not. Each shelf is rated for 20 lbs, so I think it will be fine. The bamboo shelves are rated for 33 lbs per shelf. The teapots range in weight from about 2-3.5 lbs.
I have decided that I do not like using metal trivets with metal teapots as both suffer scratches and wear from the contact. I will probably switch to wooden trivets, instead, and just display or store the metal ones. I put some of the teapots on trivets and will see how that works out.
One thing that I have discovered about using these teapots for multiple infusions of brewing from the same tea leaves is that it is a real pain to remove the infuser/strainer between brews. It, and the pot, are hot and it is slippery as an eel. Not such a big problem with very small pots as they are mostly emptied with one pour, but the leaves do move to one side of the infuser in the process. It is a real pain for larger pots in which the infuser would stay partly submerged after the initial pour or pours as the tea would continue to brew, resulting in something undrinkable. If you look at image 2, the large black teapot on the far right, you will see a small orange handle sticking out. That handle is attached to the infuser/strainer, making it very easy to remove it. It came with a regrettably broken in shipment used Mashiko Ware kyusu but it fits perfectly in my largest (by volume) Iwachu hobnail teapot. I have been unable to locate the source for it, but would love to find these in various sizes for all of my kyusu.
The window in the image was actually once the old side door to the house but the previous owners turned it into a window, perhaps 70 or 80 years ago and moved the side door to the back of the house. There was cracking around the window when I moved in 22 years ago and it has only gotten slightly worse, but I have not taken the time to patch it and it can be seen behind the shelves. Seems to be stable.... Four generations of the same family lived in this house before selling it in the early 1990s. Luckily they were not big remodelers so much of the house is still original 1880s.
Updated to add two new teapots..
Image #2: Second teapot from the right. This small kyusu is unlined, which suggests it has some age to it, perhaps pre-1960s. It has an unusual design which I have only seen once or twice before. I don't know how to describe it. Maybe flowing water running over a few stones? I would have to dedicate a post to it to get better details. It was probably bought as a souvenir in Japan and never used. It is in new condition but has one bad rust spot the lower half which I will fix after doing some research. It has the original heat treated interior finish on the inside but the interior of the top part of the pot was not done so has a light coat of surface rust on it. I will need to research how to fix that, too. It is interesting to see where the exterior black finish was brushed on and the bristles of the brush went into the pot in a few places leaving some black inside. It is signed on the top of the pot to the right of the spout as it is facing the viewer, another suggestion that this is an older pot. I have do idea who made this one. Probably about a 6-8 ounce pot and has a very thin, solid aluminum strainer.
Image #3: Second pot from the right. This is a smaller, light brown Iwachu hailstone teapot. It is brand new with infuser. The seller described the lid as having a gouge in the urushi lining which was shown in the images. Wiping with a damp cloth removed it so, it was not damage, just dirt. No idea why I find so many new condition Iwachu and Oigen kyusu. This one shows no signs of use. I paid a bit less than a quarter of what a new kyusu costs minus any shipping charges. It has what I call the Reiwa mark on it.
I am now uncertain about how Iwachu marked their products as I found what I call the Showa mark 1926-1989 on a Tevana labeled pot and that company was created in 1997. Dang.
I am not going to do a separate post for these two new kyusu unless someone wants to see them. Guessing CWers are getting tired of my kyusu posts. I am also wrestling with an eye infection caused by using some contaminated eye drops and having trouble focusing. Very difficult for me to take pictures right now. I may post them in the future, though.
nice collection ..
They all look so extraordinary and beautifully displayed together which is something in this case that especially highlights the odd shapes of your teapot eleganza not to be outdone. Even love the rat though he is rather frightening. I remember once seeing a rat that was as big as a cat, as I opened a grainery door. I think my jaw dropped. Just looked as he stared back. Also hate to say I moved on up to first class hotels after I saw a big white rat in a hotel in toronto who also stared back when I opened a closet door. That hote was a magnificent Edwardian mansion but you get what you get! I love the design on the teapots and getting little stands would be nice. I guess using a Chinese vase stand which can be found sometimes at auction would be strange but I think I could handle it with those nice carved stands. Outstanding collection you have !~
Outstanding display!!! Such a wonderful collection.
Amazing to see that corner !!!
Thanks for your comment Theonlyone! I am pretty happy with it.
Thanks for your comment PhilDMorris! I really like the varied shapes and designs. That is what makes it fun to collect and use these kyusu. That was a big rat! Rats are really smart and not to be underestimated. I am going to start looking for some appropriate stands. Setting these kyusu at different heights on the shelves will help to show them off better.
Thanks for your comment jscott0363! It has been great fun selecting and collecting them.
Thanks for your comment, Kevin! I no longer have try to avoid glancing into that corner. I think I will make some popcorn and put a chair in front of it and sit for a while, now! ;)
Thanks for loving my kyusu and nabeshiki display aura, dav2no1, jscott0363, fortapache, Thomas, PhilDMorris, Kevin, Watchsearcher and Theonlyone!
Updated to better (I think) images. Added mention in post regarding my search for infuser/strainer with handle on it. Grateful to anyone who can tell me where I can get more.
Added two new kyusu, image 2 and 3. One more is in the mail and my shelf will be full.
Congratulations on finding the perfect display tower for your fabulous collection Kevin, it must feel so good to see all your beloved pieces at a glance - much happiness as you add more on in future
- Jenni
What a post Kevin.
The teapots are glorious, and seeing them like this allows me to scan from one to another, noticing the different shapes, finishes, design, handles and more. It's easy looking that's for sure.
The shelves have worked well, and I love how you have hung the trivets. Your rat okimono sets it all off beautifully.
Off course what has really happened is you have set me off to look for a kyusu or nabeshiki. They are on my long list!
Thanks for your comments, Eileen! I like all of the contrasts, too.
Thanks Jenni! I am quite happy with how it turned out!
Thanks Karen! It is pretty easy to find reasonably priced, high quality kyusu on the on line auction sites in the US, with a bit of patience. Finding nabeshiki is a bit harder, I found.
Thanks for loving my Japanese metal display Karen, Jenni, Hoot60, Eileen, blunderbuss2 and officialfuel!
Wow, I agree with all the comments. your collection is simply wonderful.
Thanks for your comment RichmondLori! I enjoy these very much!
Updated images to show new teapots and a warmer. I had to remove everything from the shelves and move it so I could access and check the tightness on all of the screws holding it together. Some, indeed, had worked loose. I think I have room for two more teapots on the shelf and both are on the way. I will keep one of my Oitomi dragonfly kyusu off the shelf to use as my everyday kyusu and randomly use the others. I could not get a good image of the entire shelf so will redo that when I am able to do so.
Glad you are enjoying Outlander, Eileen! There is a lot of graphic violence and adult content, but it is all very well done with a good plot. There is great character development and reasonable adherence to historical events. It is a great series, very well written and acted. It is very personal to me because, according to my latest Ancestry ethnic breakdown, I am 49% Scottish, though my ancestors were in America before the Revolutionary War, so I have a lot of Scot ancestry. Some of my ancestors were captured at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650 and deported to America. Others migrated voluntarily. Later in the series (minor plot spoiler) the action moves to North Carolina before the Revolutionary War just about the time several of my Scottish lines moved down there from Pennsylvania and Maryland.
BTW, this post will change from time to time as new kyusu are added to my collection.
Thank you vcal and Jenni!
The rat is scarier here, head on. The tea pots are especially more beautiful, if I was young and starting out all over I would want a couple of them for sure !~
He be scary, aye! If you see a pot you like, cheap, grab it, Phil! One won't addict you. Mwahaha!