常滑焼/Tokoname Kiln

「常滑燒」陶器之中，以造詣非凡的茶壼手藝最為人知。
常滑出產的陶泥，因着氣候與水土的關係，含有較多的「氧化鐵」﹙iron oxide﹚，能中和茶的苦澀味，令茶變得甘甜。
常滑燒的特色是輕巧、耐用又富有美感。它是優秀的工藝器，也是優質茶具，是極具欣賞價值的陶藝品。

Tokoname is famous for producing high quality tea pot.

The soil of Tokoname contains many iron oxide which makes water quality more mellow.

Tea pot from Tokoname is very functional and elegant.

Water will not drop from spout and cap is very fitted.

70's Tokoname Tea Pot

【四十年歷史的常滑燒茶壼】

之前老闆無意中發現，原來四十年前製成的上品常滑燒茶壼，也會改善茶水質感。於是他搜刮了幾個都有四十年或以上歷史的常滑燒茶壼回來，逐過嘗試用來沖茶，發現當中大部份都會令泡茶的水變得更滑口，又或突顯出茶湯的味道。

考究原因，原來用來製作常滑燒的泥土，屬於河流區域的泥土﹙備前燒的土壤則是來自稻田﹚，這些泥土含豐富礦物質，所以有令水質變得滑溜的效果。

不過，這種含豐富天然礦物的泥土數量有限，而且愈來愈少。今天，用來製作常滑燒的土壤多是加入了紅氧化鐵的”Bengara”，用以製作傳統的硃色與黑色常滑燒茶壼。加入了這些鐵質，燒作陶茶壺時，帶氧的部份會變成紅色，不帶氧的部分會成了黒色。茶壼的顏色彷似傳統茶壼的顏色，但茶水的味道不會因而改變。還是四十年或更久以前那些用原始河畔泥土製成的茶具，沖出來的茶別有一番味道。

用過這些有歷史的茶壼，便知道個中巧妙。難怪這麼多人堅持要用古老的茶具。

These tea pots are produced about 40 years ago.

Using natural Tokoname Red soil to produce.

Tokoname Soil is originally "lake" soil (Bizen is originally mountain soil).

The soil is taken out from rice paddies and fermented.

Its soil contains many of minerals, nutrition and the bacteria in the paddy will make the soil so sticky and smooth.

These natural good things will effect tea so when you make the tea pot made with natural Tokoname soil, quality of tea will improve more smooth, more sweet and more strong body but less bitter.

However these Natural Tokoname Red Soil is very limited and it is very difficult to find now.

Because there are many houses built on the paddy in the economic bubble time in Japan.

So usually current tea pot is using "Bengara"(Red iron oxide) in order to make the tea pot color red or black.

(Red color come out burning with oxidant, Black color come out burning without oxidant)

These tea pot colors are red or black etc,, however it can not change the taste.

40 years ago, it was still not too difficult to find natural Tokoname Red Soil so many of the tea pot produces over 40years ago are very good quality in terms of improving tea quality.

If you use these tea pot to make tea, you will clearly understand the differences and you may love the tea pot,,,,

我們都收藏了一系列中古常滑燒茶壼，它們都以數十年前，產自常滑的土壤製作，能提昇茶湯的味道。當中更有來自常滑燒「國寶級」陶藝人的作品。
We have more collection of old Tokoname tea pots which could improve the tea taste.

Including tea pot made by Human National Treasure of Japan(人間国宝）.

These tea pots are as precious as kept in the national museum in Japan.