About Akitsu Mumyoi Carbonized Reduction

An elderly potter in a blue jacket holding a small red pot

By combining the traditional craft techniques of the artist with HOJO's dedication to tea, we deliver a specially designed teapot that you cannot find anywhere else.

This page introduces the "Akitsu Mumyo Carbonized Reduction" teapots fired using carbonized reduction with Akitsu Mumyo clay, crafted by ceramic artist Tozo Watanabe.

Series Name	Akitsu Mumyo Carbonized Reduction
Artist Name	Tozo Watanabe
Clay	Akitsu Mumyo
Firing Method	Carbonized Reduction
Features	This type of clay pairs well with almost any tea. When brewing tea, it enhances the aroma while significantly increasing the richness (aftertaste and lingering flavor). Therefore, it is recommended for teas where you want to emphasize richness. For example, it pairs exceptionally well with Fenghuang Dancong oolong tea, green tea, ripe Pu-erh tea, and Taiwanese oolong tea.
Recommended Teas	Green Tea

What is Mumyo-yaki?

The red clay excavated from the area around the Aikawa Gold Mine and the Osado and Kosado mountain ranges in Sado Island is called "Mumyo". "Mumyo-yaki" refers to pottery made using this red clay and is a representative pottery of Sado Island.

Choosing the right kettle is as important as choosing the right teapot. For more information, please refer to the link below.

How to Choose a Kettle for Delicious Tea

About Akitsu Mumyo

Traditionally, Mumyo-yaki uses materials from the Aikawa Gold Mine and nearby mountains, specifically the low-plasticity, red-colored raw clay called "Mumyo" and the highly plastic, yellow raw clay from the "Nosaka" area near the Aikawa Gold Mine.

In contrast, this series uses "Akitsu Mumyo", which blends the clay from the Akitsu region with the yellow clay from Nosaka, hence the name Akitsu Mumyo.

Traditionally, Mumyo-yaki is made from a blend of two types of natural clay: the red clay mined around the Aikawa Gold Mine and the yellow clay called Nosaka, which appears yellow in its raw state.

Yellow-brown soil exposed on a slope with fallen leaves

Nosaka Raw Clay

Akitsu Mumyo Enhances Richness

The Akitsu Mumyo clay introduced here significantly enhances richness. Richness refers to the body, the spread of flavor when the tea is in the mouth, and the gentle sweetness felt on the palate.

The teas that pair well with this effect and high compatibility are as follows.

Teas Compatible with Akitsu Mumyo

Taiwanese Oolong Tea
Fenghuang Dancong Oolong Tea
Raw and Ripe Pu-erh Tea
Green Tea
White Tea

Adding milk to black tea increases its richness due to the calcium ions in the milk. When brewing black tea with Akitsu Mumyo clay, the flavor spreads throughout the mouth, and a gentle sweetness is felt, even without milk.

This characteristic is particularly effective for Taiwanese oolong tea, Pu-erh tea, Darjeeling, and Chinese black tea.

The effect of enhancing the body also increases the perception of flavor. When brewing oolong tea with Akitsu Mumyo clay, the flavor is so vivid that it feels like a different brand.

Akitsu Mumyo clay is compatible with almost any type of tea. While it pairs exceptionally well with the three types of tea mentioned above, it is a versatile clay that works well with all kinds of tea.

What is Carbonized Reduction Firing?

Including this series, there are three types of firing methods using Akitsu Mumyo clay.

Three Firing Methods for Akitsu Mumyo

Oxidation Firing
Reduction Firing
Carbonized Reduction

These firing methods are classified by the following characteristics.

Characteristics by Firing Method

Enhancing Body: Oxidation Firing > Reduction Firing > Carbonized Reduction
Enhancing Richness: Carbonized Reduction > Reduction Firing > Oxidation Firing

* As mentioned earlier, body refers to richness, horizontal spread, weightiness, and richness of flavor. Teas with a strong body have a spreading flavor and a rich sweetness when in the mouth. * Even with reduction firing, the body is significantly enhanced. * Richness refers to the throat feel (richness) of the tea, and the order of enhancement by firing method is the opposite of its effect on body.

Diagram of body (spread in the mouth) and aftertaste (what lingers after swallowing)

What is Carbonized Reduction?

Carbonized reduction involves burying the already fired teapot in charcoal and steaming it at a low temperature. When tea is brewed with this method, it slightly reduces the richness but increases the depth and softens the tea's flavor. Additionally, with continued use, the teapot becomes darker and acquires a metallic sheen.