Vintage Japanese Copper Kyusu Teapot with Wooden Side Handle, Late Showa (1966-1989) | SKU: 26J-0206

Vintage Japanese Copper Kyusu Teapot with Wooden Side Handle, Late Showa (1966-1989) | SKU: 26J-0206

A richly patinated copper kyusu with a side-mounted wooden handle -- a quietly compelling relic of Japan's everyday tea culture.

A kyusu is a traditional Japanese side-handle teapot designed specifically for brewing green tea, particularly sencha and gyokuro. The lateral handle allows for a smooth, controlled pour without transferring heat to the hand -- a practical refinement developed over centuries of Japanese tea craft. This example is formed in copper with a deep, darkened surface patina that has developed naturally over decades of use, with warm copper tones emerging at the lid rim and base where the finish has worn through. The rounded, globular body tapers to a short angled spout, and the flat-topped lid sits flush with a turned wooden knob finial. The side handle is fashioned from shaped wood, showing honest wear consistent with a well-used household teapot from the Late Showa era. As a piece of vintage Japanese craft, it embodies the wabi-sabi aesthetic -- finding beauty in age, imperfection, and quiet utility.

Today this kyusu makes a striking decorative accent well beyond the tea table. Display it on a kitchen shelf or dining room sideboard as a living room accent that sparks conversation about Japanese tea culture. Nestled on a tray with small stones or dried botanicals, it becomes a compelling wabi-sabi centerpiece or Japandi style vignette for a home office or entryway. It also makes a thoughtful and unique gift for tea enthusiasts, Japanophiles, or collectors of vintage Japanese metalwork -- a compact, evocative piece that carries genuine history in its darkened surface.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Copper body with darkened oxidized patina; wooden side handle and lid knob
• Use: Brewing and serving Japanese green tea (sencha, gyokuro)
• Modern Use: Wabi-sabi decorative accent or Japandi vignette; unique gift for tea lovers or collectors; display piece for kitchen, dining room, or home office
• Features: Globular copper body with deep matte patina and warm copper tones at wear points; short angled spout; flat fitted lid with turned wooden knob finial; side-mounted wooden handle with honest age wear; steam vent hole in lid
• Dimensions: 6"W x 4"D x 3 1/2"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition consistent with age and use; patina and surface wear throughout; please inspect interior and spout seams before use for tea brewing

A beautifully aged piece of vintage Japanese craft -- this copper kyusu brings the quiet, time-worn warmth of the wabi-sabi aesthetic into any modern home.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.