What are traditional Japanese tea pots made of?

A kyūsu (急須) is a traditional Japanese teapot mainly used for brewing green tea, mainly made of fired volcanic clay of very high quality. The word kyusu simply means teapot, even though in common usage kyusu usually does refer to a teapot with a side handle.

The common misconception is that a kyūsu always has a side handle. However, the word "kyūsu" merely means "teapot", even though in common usage kyūsu usually does refer to a teapot with a side handle.

 

The two most common types of kyūsu are yokode kyūsu (横手急須, side hand(le) teapot), which has a side handle and which is the more common type, and ushirode kyūsu (後手急須, back hand(le) teapot), which has a rear handle, just like teapots in other parts of the world;[1] there are also uwade kyūsu (上手急須, top hand(le) teapot).

 

Tokoname ware is known for its kyūsu. In smaller types, some of the lids can be crafted in such a way that they will not fall off due to water adhesion. The spout also has to be crafted with an angle that no drops will leak back from it while pouring.