Koie Hiroshi (Reiko) Red Rim Silky Black Teapot SHIHA Original 玲光 Set01

Koie Hiroshi (Reiko)  Red Rim Silky Black Teapot SHIHA Original 玲光朱泥熏黑 Set

Teapot 1
Cup 2

This is SHIHA TEAPOT SHOP's  (SHIHA TEA & COMFORT) Original teapot. We designed and collaborate with a Tokoname Teapot Artist, Koie Hiroshi.  

Teapot for Tea lovers

We made it because tea lovers like simple, good clay,  good size, unglazed and ones good associate with other tea ware🥰  Please see specification below. 

Smoked Black Color

This is red clay teapot and it is smoked to black. 
At first firing, red clay teapot is made. Then at second firing  (fired in oxygen-reduction atmosphere), red color change to black.

Surface of outer and inner of the teapot is black. You see red color on the rim of the openings and the handle. That is original color.

After smoking process, Reiko made the rim trim/shave to show the red of the inside. 

Smoked black on over red clay is soft, deep, feel layers and attractive. It more ”absorb light” than "reflect light". It has nice glow.

This teapot is "unglazed" and "smoked" . Because it is unglazed, you can get benefit of the clay for taste of tea. 

Basic Specification 

Water flow is good. Stopping water is good, too. Lid is just fit - Good feeling of placing lid in the position.

Body & lid is rather thin and light. 

To satisfy tea lovers need, we designed as follows;

* Right-size to brew tea (200ml)
* Good clay - Make taste of tea richer (especially green tea)
* Simple - Simple, natural are basic mind of tea.
* Classical - Body Shape, angle of handle are following teapots of old time of Japan, a few hundred years ago. It may bring inner joy.

Reiko's Special Red Clay

Reiko's red Clay is very fine. You may able to tell from the photos. 

He mixed clay taken under the pond of Tokoname 20 years ago and one from 40 years ago.

After purification, the clay became smooth and fine– and then clay has natural shine(glow) and become more tasteful.  As you use it will have more shine(glow). 

The texture gives you calmness in your mind, every time your eyes catch the teapot, it will bring you a joy. 

The clay make good brewing effect. SHIHA TEAPOT SHOP usually use this teapot to brew green tea and other soft spring tea. 

All the process of teapot making has been done by Reiko himself alone. From clay selection/making to firing. Holes on strainer was also made by himself, please see the video in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muVW75CaCYw

Artist: KOIE HIROSHI (REIKO)

Koie Hiroshi has been accredited as the holder of Intangible Cultural Property by Tokoname City of Japan.

His style of works is CLASSICAL and ELEGANT. Not only total impression, even detail parts (lid, lid knob, openings of teapot, curves...) have the taste. It satisfies your aesthetic sense.

He makes tea ware for Sencha tea ceremony. It means that his works are selected and used by masters of  Japanese Sencha Ceremony. Only selected artists and studios make tea ware for Sencha tea ceremony in Japan. 

Capacity: approx. 200ml
Artist: Reiko（Hiroshi Koie) 玲光（鯉江廣）
Teapot Box: Wood Box 

Cup size approx. diameter 5.5cm / height 4.7cm (paper box)

 Artist Stamp: "Hiroshi 廣”, name of the artist

Reiko Page