News

Reiko's  (Koie Hiroshi) teapots are being exhibited in the most luxurious cruise ship in Japan.   Asuka's company, Nihon Yusen’s message as follows. <Providing Inspiring Experience>Japanese traditional culture.Asuka Cruises has collaborated with the Japan Crafts Association, an organization of traditional craft artists led by holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties (living national treasures).The works of these artists, including living national treasures, are displayed on board the Asuka II. Passengers can view the works up close and personal. The creation of a place where guests can encounter supreme beauty will lead to the inheritance and development of traditional Japanese culture.Asuka Cruises will continue to...

NHK Video News: 4 months after seismic intensity 6+: Reconstruction work at Suzu ware kiln that collapsed due to earthquake Takashi Shinohara's kiln was destroyed in the earthquake that struck Suzu in May of this year.With the support of many people, he started rebuilding the kiln. Removed and cleaned each bricks of the damaged kiln first over a month. The re-construction work that started in August has been reached this much so far (photo) . The wooden frame for the ceiling has been completed, and today we will start laying the bricks for the ceiling arch. This kiln has a new...

Do you sometimes see tiny silver hairs on the surface of green tea in a cup?This hair is called "毛茸 Mouji" in Japanese. It is trichome in English. The other day, I watched tea leaves under a microscope.These are the photos taken with the microscope and share in this blog. The tea leaves were picked in the spring, then steamed and frozen. Rolling and drying has not be done. (Tea leaves for making green tea)  毛茸 Mouji (trichome )There are mouji on the underside of the tea leaves. Young (soft) leaves have more of mouji. As the leaves grow, mouji harden and fall off the leaves....

Hidasuki is orange soft lines made on pottery using rice straw for decoration of pottery. It is old technique of pottery decoration. Some of teapot artists make hidasuki teapots. Mizuno Yokei Hidasuki Mogake Teapot https://shihateapot.com/products/yokei-yk02  

There are two major types of tea ware (tea utensils) in Japan. One is for drinking matcha  and the other is for drinking green tea (leaf tea). These two kind of tea ware are generally not shared and are classified as different things. They have different origins and development each other. The tea ware in the photo are used for brewing leaf tea. Since the tea leaves produced in Japan is mainly green tea, many traditional tea ware for leaf tea are made for green tea brewing, but of course they can also be used for other types of tea (white...

(Photos in this page are from Ishikawa Television ) We would like to inform you all the current status of Suzuyaki artist Shinohara Takashi Kiln Reconstruction as of end of June, 2023 The demolition work of the kiln has been completed for the reconstruction of the kiln. 2500 bricks of the kiln have been removed. Shinohara's friend, an actress, Ms. Tokiwa Takako also participated in the work. (The link below is a video of the work.) Reconstruction of the kiln will start soon. Suzuyaki Artist Shinohara Takashi Kiln Recovery Status (Video news) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJC6uLhAb9c (Ishikawa Television) Last news　(About Earthquake) Earthquake Destroyed SUZU Kiln Again...

In 2023 spring, Ito Seiji (Jinshu) received The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays from the government for his long year contribution to the Japan’s traditional art craft. （About Medal of Honor）The purpose of this award is for the government to recognize those who have made meritorious contributions to the nation and the public.People who have done important work for society and for many people, people who have worked diligently for many years to do important if unobtrusive work, people who have done their best to help others - there is a system in place to shine a light on...

Is the feel of drinking tea alone the same as drinking tea with two people?It is different for me. Drinking tea alone goes deep into my mind, releases tension, and frees my thoughts. My mind is in a different world.When two people drink tea together, it is as if the two of us are together in the flow that the tea brings. It is a time when two hearts resonate and overflow with joy.The tea,  teapot, and cup create this sacred time and joyful time.This is my experience with Japanese green tea. How about you? Shiha   Japanese Green Tea...

Article https://shihateacomfort.com/oldsuzu  (Shiha Tea & Comfort Website)

SUZU Shinohara Takashi Kiln was destroyed again by the earthquake on May 5, 2023. SHIHA TEAPOT SHOP contacted Mr. Shinohara and knew that he was going to rebuild his kiln again.  2022, huge earthquake hit Suzu, Ishikawa Japan, and his kiln had destroyed. Shinohara Takashi just finished repairing his kiln in Dec 2022. Then he made and fired his works on Jan 2023 in this repaired kiln. Some of his works on our shop were made at this time.  Shinohara Takashi Pagehttps://shihateapot.com/collections/shinohara ---------------------- The following article is translation(transcription) of the interview to Shinohara Takashi by MRO television in the following link (Japanese) .MRO television...

Takatori ware (Takatori-yaki) is a pottery originating from the tea ceremony in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It began about 400 years ago and has continued to the present day.It flourished as the official kiln of the Kuroda clan during the Edo period. Under the guidance of Kobori Enshu, a tea master of the time, tea ware for the tea ceremony were created. (At that time, tea ware used by high-class people of power and warriors). It was made according to the concept of beauty called ”Kirei-Sabi” which is Kobori Enshu's aesthetics. Kirei-Sabi simply means beauty, richness and harmony added to Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic.  Takatori...

We introduce Shinohara Takashi SUZU-yaki 2023 new large Items These items are available for order at SHIHA TEAPOT SHOP. Those are new works of Shinohara Takashi made in January 2023.  Prices are for reference only. Estimates will be provided based on destination country and city. Only one piece for each item is available. 1 Flower Vase(Reference 98,000JPY) 2 Large Vase (Reference 195,000 JPY) 3 Large Pot(Reference 173,000 JPY) 4 Flowing Glaze Vase(Reference 250,000 JPY) Contact Form: https://shihateapot.com/pages/contact-us Shinohara Takashi's kiln was damaged due to earthquake in June 2022, he re-built a kiln in autumn in 2022 and succeeded producing beautiful works with the new kiln in 2023....

Hello, we introduce 2 Japanese Tea cafés in SHIBUYA  area in Tokyo.Both of them have unique style - I felt good drinking their tea and being there.  It is good idea for tea lovers to do tea room hopping when you visit Tokyo. It help you to understand the tea culture of "now" in Japan.  MATCHA TOKYO (at Miyashita Park 2F) https://www.the-matcha.tokyo/pages/cafe Modern + Tradition. Simple and Authentic. Feeling good drinking a cup of Matcha after watching their hand brew process. I ordered "Japan Premium Matcha" (left) . It was soft and authentic taste. "Matcha Oat Latte" (right) is natural and keep natural flavor...

This is a record of a tea session, held at SHIHA TEA STUDIO on Oct 2022. We would like to share photos and knowledge from the tea session. People who love tea gathered, and tasted many kinds of selected tea and exchanged opinion. The scope of the topics is not only the taste of the teas, but also the tea ware, brewing method, history, tea grower, what touch our mind etc. It was 3 languages – Japanese, Chinese, English – despite of mixed languages (it can cause confusion sometimes) all of us learned much and enjoyed tea. I felt every...

Suzu-yaki is a black pottery produced in the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan. This video shows photos and messages received from Suzu-yaki pottery users from all over the world (Works of Shinohara Takashi) The joy and impression that Mr. Shinohara's works bring to users seem to be the same regardless of their nationality or culture. "Why are Mr. Shinohara's works appealing in a gentle yet longstanding way?" To this kind of question from customers, we tell the words from Mr. Shinohara "My hands follow my mind and forming works, not thinking making utensils." to the customers, hoping it...

Video News : Great damage to Suzu ware, a traditional craft of Suzu City  ( NHK NEWS June 24, 19:23  - Auto Translated) There was a very big earthquake hit Suzu city of Ishikwa prefecture on June 19 202. And more earthquake is expected in Suzu area. Artists of Suzu Pottery suffered great damage on their works by the earthquake.SHIHA TEAPOT SHOP introduce works of Takashi Shinohara. Many customers purchased his works. We are sharing this news with Mr. Shinohara's fans in the hope that knowing of the current situation and support the recovery in your heart. Mr. Takashi Shinohara is the chairman...

  The position of the spout of a Japan Tokoname Teapot (and most of other Japanese teapots) is mounted not perpendicular (90°) to the handle. It is mounted a little closer to handle side traditionally. It is due to smooth and comfortable poring of tea into cups.  

We introduce 500 Japanese Teapots, which we met in the last 10 years. You may find favorite teapot artist.  Please enjoy Art and Technique of Japanese Teapots. (Vol.1) Artist / Studio - Traditional Craft Category 0:00 Shiraiwa Taisuke - 0:01 Toju (Sugie Toju ) - Tokoname 0:02 Shunen（Mano Shunen） - Tokoname 0:03 Yamamoto Hiromi - Banko 0:04 Sou (Yamada Sou) - Tokoname 0:05 Seisho (Kato Seisho） - Kyoto 0:06 Kutani Teapot - Kutani 0:07 Shunpo （Inoue Shunpo） - Kyoto 0:08 Jin（Tanikawa Jin） - Tokoname 0:09 Reiko (Koie Hiroshi) - Tokoname 0:10 Shoryu (Umehara Shoji) - Tokoname 0:11 Shoryu (Umehara Shoji)...

Some tea lovers may be interested in Japanese Green Tea Auction.  This news from NHK shows first tea auction / trading (bidding) of the year which took place on April 18, 2022 in Fukuoka, Saga and Shizuoka, Japan.   All said that tea leaves this year is very good because of good weather. Fukuoka  https://www3.nhk.or.jp/fukuoka-news/20220418/5010015520.htmlSaga  https://www.sagatv.co.jp/news/archives/2022041809272 Shizuoka https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/shizuoka/20220418/3030015657.html Those tea leaves (Ara-cha - half processed)  traded in the markets are processed (blend and dry etc) by the buyer (tea company / tea shop) then sold for consumers.  It said that a kind of Shizuoka Temomi Cha (Hand rolling Tea - thin needle shape)...

Interview to Mr. Shimizu Hokujo about his art and technique of mogake (seaweed) Teapot. Hokujo told: Mogake art began at the end of the Edo period (1603-1867).Soft thin seaweed, which are taken in May and June are used for teapot decoration. Name of the seaweed is "Amamo" in Japanese. They can be found on the coast. It is picked in beach where people go pick up clams. The seaweed is where fish lay their eggs, so I do not take the seaweed from the root, but tear off the upper parts. We must think about the regeneration of the sea.In recent years, the...

How to Wash & Care Japanese Kyusu Teapot Properlyhttps://shihateacomfort.com/how-to-wash (Article in Shiha Teapot Shop Website)   Shiha Teapot Shop Selling Brush Set for teapot cleaning.https://shihateapot.com/collections/teapot-care-goods Brush set can be ordered with teapot order.  Japanese Teaware Online Shop 

Back-Order Item Silver Incense Stand 88g Price: 115,000 JPY Please contact us for inquiry and purchase.Contact Form  

This article is about our shop owner Jicky. Do you know a huge Tea Leaf Market in Beijing China?  More than a thousand tea leaf shops are located there. The market is called "Ma Lian Dao" - Places for tea lovers. Jicky of SHIHA TEAPOT SHOP JAPAN used be a guide of the market, when she lived in China. (She studied Chinese Tea in China and Japanese Tea in Japan) Jicky visited quite a number of tea leaf shops in the market and talked shop owners and tasted their teas to understand, and found reliable shops that had high quality tea leaves and...

You can feel delicate clay, detail work, thin body, tight lid - harmonious and artistic. Artists: Mizuno Yokei, Mano Shunen   

JINSHU Gokuhira Flat Teapot with Filter of New Structure introduced! Previous model was capacity approx. 100 ml.New filter make it possible to realize 120ml flat teapot. <Story of New Model> Every time Jinshu (Ito Seiji) brewed a cup of tea with his own-made teapot , he observed the comfortability of use and the optimal capacity. Those elements are reflected in the new model. Jinshu took on this challenge over a long period of time and repeatedly  improve the product even in the face of difficulties. Please try the new model that Jinju has created based on his actual experience of continuous...

The labels have artistic value. It is now revived as posters.  These labels  were affixed to the box when Japan exported green tea to the world in old time.It looks great when framed and displayed on the wall. If you would like to obtain the posters, please contact us at info@shihateacomfort.com We will obtain the posters from the companies concerned and send them to you with right & safe packing. 43cm*42cm / 30 pcs(kinds) Note: It is printed on thin paper.  

As you may know, Umami is the one of most important factor in Japanese green tea for its quality.  When brewing Japanese green tea, we control temperature of water to get best balance of umami(amino acid) and catechin(astringency/bitterness) and caffeine(bitterness).  (Higher temperature (> 80℃ / 176 °F) get more astringency and bitterness in liquid) How about water to brew Japanese green tea？What kind water can bring umami taste well in the tea liquid? Here is the interesting report about Japanese Green Tea & hardness of water - Research report by Mr. Omori Masashi 's group (Mr. Omori  is known as Doctor of Tea in...

We have listed some basic tea words and phrases in Japanese.Please listen and try for the day you come to Japan for tea exploration🥰🍵 Pronunciation Page :   Japanese Words for Tea Time Pronunciation of Japanese in the page is good/OK except "green tea"Actual pronunciation is "Ryokucha" but in this page, it sounds "Riyokucha". Word(taste good)  おいしい (beautiful)  きれい(fresh)  新鮮(green tea)  緑茶(roasted green tea)  ほうじ茶(black tea)  紅茶(teapot, side handle)  急須(teapot, western style)  ティーポットPhrase(taste good) おいしいです (smell is good) 香りが良いです (good smell) 良いかおりです(aftertaste is good) あと味がよいです(beautiful color)  きれいな色です If you have requests for this trial, please feel free to send us mail.

Intangible Cultural Properties Tokoname teapot masters' Teapot-Making Techniques are protected as "Intangible Cultural Properties" by Government There are 6 masters whose teapot-making techniques have been designated as Intangible Cultural Properties by Tokoname city of Japan, under the law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. Those masters are listed as below. ▶ Technique: Handmade-Teapot ( Kyusu ) by Potter's Wheel  Konishi Yohei (Yohei) Shimizu Genji （Hokujo)  Koie Hiroshi  (Reiko)   Mizuno Seisen (Seisen) Sawada Shoson Ⅱ (Shoson) Reference: Japan Cultural Heritage Online ▶ Technique: Hand Carving Decoration  Yoshikawa Fusao (Kodo)        Important Intangible Cultural Properties (Living National Treasure) The national government designates especially significant Intangible Cultural Properties as "Important...

Japanese Teapot  3 ways of Holding Handle & Lid  (SHIHA TEAPOT Website) https://shihateacomfort.com/howtohold