This teapot is made at the family pottery business of Hiroshi Otsu, in the town of Kasama.

With a tradition dating back several centuries, to when its farmers converted themselves into potters to supply the needs for utensils of the expanding city of Tokyo to the south - Kasama remains home to a lively ceramics scene.

Hiroshi Otsu is both head of the pottery union in Kasama, and head of his family’s ceramics works: Otsu Koyo.

At the centre of his work is the skill of the craftsperson. While there is talk of designers, and adapting to new consumer trends, working by hand, and with quality are non-negotiable in Otsu’s world.

An ability to make kyusu (Japanese teapots) is important in the repertoire of any traditional ceramic craftsperson in Japan. The handle, spout, lid and body are made separately on the wheel, and the balance in bringing the elements together is a location to demonstrate the potter’s skill.

Otsu here achieves the form of an honest kyusu, made by a ceramic shokunin (craftsperson), and combines it with the peach coloured glaze that he spent many years to perfect

The pot is 18cm (including the handle) x 14.5cm (including the spout). It weighs around 400g.

As each piece is handmade, there can be slight variations between them.