Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get into the whole tea ceremony thing, and I thought a good starting point would be a nice Japanese porcelain tea set. I’m no expert, just a regular guy who likes tea, so this is my journey from zero to… well, slightly more than zero.

First, I looked around. A lot. I mean, there are tons of options online, from super cheap to “sell-your-kidney” expensive. I wanted something decent, but not something that would make me afraid to use it.

Finding the Right Set

• I started with some basic searches. You know, “Japanese tea set,” “porcelain tea set,” that kind of thing.
• Then I narrowed it down a bit. I decided I wanted something with a Kyusu (that’s the teapot with the side handle, I learned).
• I spent hours just browsing pictures and reading descriptions. It was kind of overwhelming, to be honest.

Finally, I stumbled upon a set that looked pretty good. It wasn’t too fancy, had a simple design, and the price was reasonable. It included a Kyusu, a couple of Yunomi (those are the teacups), and a little strainer thingy.

The First Brew

So, the set arrived, and I was like a kid on Christmas morning. I unpacked it carefully, washed everything, and got ready for my first brew.

I followed some online instructions for brewing Sencha (green tea). I heated the water, but not to boiling, because apparently, that’s a no-no for green tea. I measured out the tea leaves, put them in the Kyusu, and poured the water in.

Then, the tricky part. I tried to pour the tea into the cups evenly, going back and forth between them. It was a little messy, but I managed it without spilling too much.

The Verdict

The tea tasted… pretty good! I mean, I’m sure a real tea master could do better, but I was happy. The tea set itself felt nice in my hands, and it definitely added to the whole experience. It just felt more… special than using a regular mug.

So, that’s my little adventure with my new Japanese porcelain tea set. I’m still learning, but it’s been fun. And hey, at least I can now impress my friends with my slightly-above-average tea-making skills.