Hand-held Teapot
Seifu Yohei III · 1893–1914 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Guide
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From the museum
This teapot is of a variety used by advanced sencha practitioners. Called a hōhin, the pot is designed to be held directly by the fingers, with the body touching the upper part of the palm. This shape allows the host to manipulate the pot with a single hand and demonstrate dexterity. Direct contact between the ceramic body and the hand allows the host to closely gauge the temperature of the water within. There are differing grades of sencha, and for the finest one, gyokuro, the water temperature must be carefully regulated to achieve the proper flavor. This vessel is therefore efficacious for preparing this high-quality tea. The hōhin is also extremely portable, so it is well suited for impromptu gatherings. According to its box, this teapot is an example of taihakuji. “Great-white porcelain” was an important early invention Yohei III devised in 1972. It involved the combination of a distinctive translucent, creamy glaze over an ivory-colored clay body. This pot’s restrained design includes on the lid’s handle a yin-yang motif, symbolizing the ideal balance between the forces of the universe.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC0
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Details
- Maker
- Seifū Yohei III (Japanese, 1851–1914)
- Date
- 1893–1914
- Medium
- Porcelain with molded and carved design and cream glaze
- Dimensions
- width with spout: 9.5 cm (3 3/4 in.)
- Place of origin
- Japan
- Held by
- Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · Not on view
- Credit line
- Gift of James and Christine Heusinger
Image: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0
