Japanese Tea Set

What is a Japanese tea set?

A Japanese tea set consists mainly of the following items. Each of these items is an essential tool for Japanese tea ceremony culture and daily tea time.

🫖Japanese tea set

🫖Kyusu (teapot)

A small teapot used to brew Japanese tea (especially green tea). Yokote kyusu (teapot with a handle on the side) is common, but there are also jozu kyusu (teapot with a handle on the top), dobin (teapot with a handle on the top), and hobin (teapot with a handle on the top).

🍵Yunami (tea cup)

A vessel for drinking tea. A thin porcelain teacup is used for gyokuro, kabusecha, and sencha brewed at low temperatures; a thick ceramic teacup is used for bancha and genmaicha brewed with hot water; and a glass teacup is used for cold tea.

♨️Yuzamashi (water cooler)

To brew delicious Japanese tea, especially sencha and gyokuro, it is important to properly adjust the temperature of the water. By using a yuzamashi, you can cool boiling water to the appropriate temperature. It is recommended to cool the water temperature to 70-80 degrees for Sencha and 50-60 degrees for Gyokuro. This will bring out the flavor and aroma of the tea leaves to the fullest.

Pouring hot water directly onto the tea leaves can damage them and make them bitter. By using a yuzamashi, you can use water at a temperature appropriate for the tea leaves, bringing out the natural sweetness and umami of the tea leaves.By using a yuzamashi before pouring the water into the teapot, the temperature of the water in the teapot will be uniform, allowing you to brew tea with a consistent taste.

♨️How to use a yuzamashi

First, boil water. Use a kettle or electric kettle to bring the water to a boil. Pour the boiled water into the yuzamashi. At this point, the temperature of the water will drop rapidly. Allow the water poured into the yuzamashi to cool to the appropriate temperature. The temperature of the water will naturally drop if left for a few minutes. Check with a thermometer if necessary.

Pour the water cooled to the appropriate temperature in the yuzamashi into the teapot. Put the tea leaves in the teapot and pour in cooled hot water to steam them at the optimal temperature. Pour the appropriate temperature of hot water into the teapot and let it steam for the appropriate amount of time. Then pour the tea into the teacups.

A yuzamashi is an essential tool for brewing delicious Japanese tea. It is very important to use a yuzamashi to bring out the flavor and aroma of the tea leaves with hot water at the right temperature and enjoy the best tea. Make good use of the yuzamashi to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese tea culture and have a rich tea time.

🍵Chataku

A small plate used to hold tea bowls and cups. Tea trays are used especially in sets for guests. They are used to prevent hot tea bowls and cups from touching the table or your hands directly. This prevents burns from the heat and protects the surface of the table. They also serve to prevent the table from becoming dirty by catching tea leaves and drops that spill when tea is poured.

Using a tea tray can show respect and gratitude to the other person. Using a tea tray, especially when entertaining, can convey a polite spirit of hospitality. It is important to choose a tea tray that matches the size and design of your tea bowl or teacup. A well-balanced combination will make your tea time even more enjoyable.

Green tea poured into a cup of hot water

🍵Tea caddies

Tea caddies are used to keep tea leaves fresh. Tea leaves are sensitive to air, moisture, and light, so storing them in a tightly sealed tea caddy will prevent them from spoiling. Green tea in particular is susceptible to oxidation, so it is important to store it properly.

Tea leaves deteriorate when exposed to light, so tea caddies also have the role of blocking light. Metal and lacquer tea canisters are particularly effective at blocking light.

🍵Tea Spoon

An important tool for accurately measuring tea leaves and beautifully serving tea. Using the right tea spoon will keep the taste of the tea consistent and allow you to enjoy delicious tea every time. By paying attention to the material and design of the tea spoon and choosing a tea spoon that suits you, your daily tea time will be richer and more enjoyable.

⭐️Please experience Japan's rich tea culture

Japanese tea sets are tools used in a variety of situations, from everyday tea time to formal tea ceremony. You can experience Japan's rich tea culture while enjoying the functions and beauty of each tool.

🫖What is the difference between Japanese and Chinese tea sets?

🍵The characteristics of Japanese teaware are influenced by the tea ceremony!

Japanese teaware is strongly influenced by the tea ceremony. The tea ceremony was systematized by Sen no Rikyu around the 15th century and became an art form that emphasized aesthetic sense and spirituality. Tea ceremony utensils strive for simplicity, natural beauty, and tranquility.

🍵Chinese tea utensils are influenced by tea art

Chinese tea utensils are strongly influenced by tea art. Tea art is a culture that emphasizes the quality of tea leaves, the way of brewing, and the beauty of the utensils. There are many types of tea utensils to accommodate many types of tea leaves.

Types and Uses:

Teapot: A pot for brewing tea. The Yixing purple clay pot is particularly famous, and has a shape suitable for different types of tea leaves.
Teacup: A cup for drinking tea. They are often small and thin and are used to enjoy the color and aroma of the tea.
Gaiwan: A teacup with a lid used to brew tea by placing tea leaves directly into the cup. It consists of three parts: a lid, a bowl, and a saucer.
Koudouhai: A vessel for pouring tea brewed in a teapot. This allows the tea to be divided evenly into several teacups.
Tea tray: A tray used for brewing tea. It is designed to allow excess water and tea to spill.

Chinese tea utensils are often ornate and decorative in design. Materials used include pottery, porcelain, purple clay, and glass. Yixing purple clay vases and Jingdezhen porcelain are particularly prized.

🫖Teaware from both countries reflect their respective cultures and histories

Tea utensils from Japan and China are strongly influenced by their respective tea cultures, and there are distinct differences in design and use. Japanese tea utensils are based on the spirit of the tea ceremony and emphasize simplicity and natural beauty, while Chinese tea utensils are characterized by a variety of types and beautiful designs influenced by tea art. Teaware from both countries reflect their respective cultures and histories, and both play an important role in the enjoyment of tea.

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