The Sad Tale of the Disappearing Teapot

In years gone by Japanese people took pride in using the best tea-ware when brewing green tea, not only when performing the tea ceremony but also when preparing everyday refreshment. Sturdy cast iron kettles for boiling water, beautifully crafted teapots and exquisite teacups were the norm rather than the exception. As time went by and lives became more hectic, convenience took the place of the slow life. People no longer spent time at the local tea seller selecting their favorite brand and savoring the tea-making process from beginning to end. Tea bags became popular and all kinds of tea became readily available in plastic bottled form. While this meant that a larger number of people were being exposed to a greater variety of teas, it also signaled a decline in brewing tea at home. We at Artistic Nippon like to believe that there is still a place for the values of old in today’s world. For us, the beauty of Tokoname teapots symbolize these values. Each piece is individually crafted by expert craftsmen to be perfectly balanced, pleasing to the eye and above all easy to use. Constant use over a long period of time leads to an improvement in the tea’s taste and the exterior grows more lustrous. For how many of today’s cheaper, mass produced teapots can the same be said?

As demand decreases, the number of craftsmen also diminishes, perhaps leading eventually to the disappearance of high quality tea-ware from the market.

Help stem this trend and participate in keeping the old tea traditions alive by acquiring your own special Tokoname piece. Considering the superb craftsmanship involved in their production and their functionability, our Tokoname teapots are offered at a very reasonable price. Avail yourself of this excellent opportunity to experience the classic Japanese values we here at Artisic Nippon strive to preserve.