Kutani Ware Aochibu Tea Pot - Tessen and Blue Dots Design

A 360ml hand-painted Kutani-ware teapot in the rare aochibu (blue-dot) technique with a Tessen (clematis) gold-leaf floral motif — by Toujudo Kiln in Nomi City, Ishikawa.

Aochibu (青粒 — "blue grain") is a Kutani decoration technique developed in the Taishō era (1912–1926): hundreds or thousands of tiny blue enamel dots are painted by hand, one at a time, each the same size, evenly spaced. The result is a soft, textured background that catches the light in subtle ways. Layered over it, gold-leaf arabesque vines render Tessen flowers (clematis), a Japanese symbol of perseverance.

The teapot has a built-in ceramic strainer at the spout and is sized for 1–2 servings.

What's good about it

• 360ml capacity, built-in ceramic strainer — right for 1–2 cups
• Hand-painted aochibu (blue dot) background — each dot applied individually
• Gold-leaf Tessen (clematis) floral overlay
• Significant labour per piece — a technique that takes years to master
• By Toujudo Kiln, Nomi City, Ishikawa prefecture

Specifications

• Capacity: 360ml
• Material: Kutani porcelain
• Type: Teapot (kyusu) with built-in strainer
• Decoration: Aochibu (blue dot) + Tessen floral in gold leaf
• Kiln: Toujudo Kiln (陶寿堂)
• Origin: Nomi City, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan

Handmade in Ishikawa, Japan.