Arita Sakura Kyusu Teapot | Pink Iridescent Porcelain, 400 ml

A soft, ceremonial pink teapot — and on closer inspection, two small pink hearts hidden against the iridescent silver-pearl glaze. One on the spout-tip, one on the handle-end. They're a "secret detail" Tasei Kiln puts into every Kōsai-zakura kyusu — visible only when the teapot is actually in your hands.

The hidden hearts

Most kyusu have plain spout-tips and handle-ends. Tasei Kiln deliberately paints a small pink heart at both end-faces, set against the iridescent silver-pearl glaze. You don't see them in product photos until you turn the teapot in your hands — they're a quiet love-letter from the maker. The Kōsai-zakura series is particularly popular as a tea-themed wedding gift in Japan for exactly this reason.

What "Kōsai-zakura" means

虹彩桜 / Kōsai-zakura translates as "iridescent sakura" or "rainbow-color cherry blossom." It's Tasei Kiln's signature series: a pink-glazed body topped with an iridescent pearl-glazed lid that catches afternoon light like the inside of an oyster shell, finished with a hand-sculpted 3D pink sakura flower as the lid knob.

The 10 visible details on this teapot

1. Pink sakura body glaze — glossy, uniform across body, handle, and spout
2. Iridescent pearl-glaze lid — mother-of-pearl crystalline texture
3. 3D sculpted sakura flower lid knob — 5 petals, yellow stamens, white tips
4. Pink heart motif on the spout-tip face ❤️
5. Pink heart motif on the handle-end face ❤️
6. Side-handle kyusu form (traditional Japanese green-tea teapot)
7. Built-in tea strainer holes inside the spout connection
8. Lid pinhole vent (for steam release during brewing)
9. Tasei Kiln blue cobalt (sometsuke 染付) signature inside the lid
10. Matching signature on the underside of the handle

Use cases

• 2–3 cups of Japanese green tea (sencha, gyokuro, hojicha) per pour
• Side-handle form is ergonomic for one-handed pouring at a low table or kitchen counter
• Daily use — not a display-only piece

FAQ

Where are the hearts exactly? Look at the spout-tip face (where tea pours out) and the handle-end face (where you grip). Two small pink hearts (~5 mm) on each, set against the iridescent silver glaze.

Is this microwave / dishwasher safe? Yes — Tasei Kiln confirms both. The painted patterns are kiln-fired into the glaze.

Will the iridescent glaze fade? No — it's a kiln-fired overglaze, not a surface application. Treat it as you would any porcelain.

Is the sakura lid knob fragile? The 3D petals are the most fragile element. Always lift the lid by gripping the rim, not the petals.

Does it have a built-in strainer? Yes — small ceramic strainer holes are built into the spout connection. No removable mesh strainer needed.