Acorn Dobin/Tea Pot (Sand Black)

The Acorn Dobin is a classic sharing-format teapot from NANKEI POTTERY (南景製陶園) in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, made in the Banko-yaki tradition. The "dobin" form pairs a rounded stoneware body with a removable rattan vine handle arching over the top — the old way of keeping your hand away from the heat. Fired using yakishime, a glaze-free method that bakes the clay at high temperature, the surface carries the honest texture of the earth: sandy, slightly rough, quietly alive. The iron in the clay deepens the colour with every use, drawing the tea's tannins into a rounder finish.

The Sand Black engobe technique layers dark clay slip over the body before firing, giving a warm, earthy depth that sets rather than shines. At 600ml, it brews generously — Set it in the centre of the table and let everyone pour for themselves.