Masterclass with Ido Ferber

Japanese Teapot Workshop Kyuusu Basics with Ido Ferber

In this two-day Japanese teapot workshop, we will learn how to throw, connect, and nish a traditional Kyuusu teapot. Japanese teapots are primarily used for green tea and have small intricacies that are hard to master by yourself. We will learn about the teapot’s origin, the tea itself and how to serve it, and, of course, how to make them!

Day 1: Throwing the Components.
On this rst day, we will discuss the basic elements of the Japanese teapot, why it is shaped the way it is, what makes it dierent from European teapots, what is important to remember when making one, what it is used for, and how to use it.
After this short introduction, I would demonstrate how the dierent pieces are thrown: body, lid, spout, and handle. Each participant would receive some clay, sit on his/her wheel, and begin throwing the dierent components.

Day 2: Mesh Making, Connection, and Finishing Touches.
On the second day of the workshop, we would focus on trimming and connecting all the dierent components of the Kyuusu. A crucial element in the traditional Japanese teapot is the ceramic mesh dividing the main body and the spout. This mesh is handmade and lters out the small tea leaves. After trimming the teapot body, we will learn how to make and connect this mesh to the body. Followed by trimming and connecting the spout, handle, and lid. Lastly, we would give the teapot some nishing touches and let it dry slowly.