Teapots

The Japanese teapot looks similar to Western models except for the handle. No Japanese teapot has a fixed hollow handle attached to the side as do Western ones, instead it has either a pan handle or a detachable basket-like looped handle. The smaller pots, called kyusu, tend to have a straight pan handle and are used to make better quality teas. These pots have the capacity of only two to three cups.

The terracotta kyusu is regarded as particularly good for good-quality teas because of its natural feel. The ones for more casual use, dobin, are larger and normally have a looped handle. All Japanese teapots strain tea leaves at the bottom of the spout; a strainer is not needed when you pour the tea out.