It starts with a half-remembered teapot: the Japanese kind with a handle sticking out to the side. Genny identifies it as a kyusu and finds a few candidates.
One catches your eye. Ask her to open it, and she looks into the maker, the material, and the details that make it different. The conversation moves with the browser, from a vague idea to a particular pot worth considering.
Read transcript
Hey Genny. I'm not drinking much coffee anymore because it irritates my stomach. I've been moving towards tea. Tried out some wonderful teas at my step-parents' house and I would love they had a beautiful pot there. I think it was called a kyusu. A K-U-Y-S-U. Something like that. That was just gorgeous. And I'd love to have one of those because it would be wonderful. Can you click around here and do some searches? See if you can tell me about it and see if you can find some for me? You were close. It's a kyusu. Pronounced kyusu. Specifically a yokode kyusu. With the handle at 90 degrees to the spout. I opened a solid EU shops collection. My shortlist is the textured Hokuryu Namikage. 240 milliliters at 82 euros 90 cents. The dramatic kiln fired Sawada Yohen. 190 milliliters at 109 euros 90 cents. And the gorgeous dark Shoryu Tenmoku. Oh that one's awesome. Can you click on the Tokoname Tenmoku? Let's get some more info on that. It looks amazing. Yep, opened it. It's the Shoryu Tenmoku, handmade in Tokoname by award-winning traditional craftsman Shoji Umehara. 230 milliliters, ceramic mesh filter, unglazed iron-rich clay, and that wild iridescent oil spot matte black finish. It's currently in stock at 179 euros, 90 cents. Honestly, this one's special. Not merely a nice teapot, but a usable little piece of Japanese craft history.