Ceramic Japan Tori Bird Teapot by Makoto Komatsu

A round, bird-shaped teapot in glazed red clay with a sprung bamboo handle, designed by Makoto Komatsu for Ceramic Japan.

Tori means bird in Japanese. Here the spout becomes a small bird’s head, beak forward, as if the pot were about to hop across the table. The body is full and round, 7.3 × 4.25 × 6.3 in, and holds about 566 ml (19 fl oz), enough for three small cups. Ceramic Japan brushes a kiln-altered glaze onto red clay by hand, so the color pools and shifts differently on every piece. A stainless steel strainer sits inside for loose leaves, and the bamboo handle stays in place by its own spring. Komatsu, who designed it, also intended it as a pourer for sake and soup stock.

Specifications

• Brand: Ceramic Japan (Seto, Aichi, Japan)
• Model: Tori (bird) teapot, item CJ-TR1
• Designer: Makoto Komatsu
• Type: Teapot / pouring vessel
• Shape: Round body with a bird-head spout
• Dimensions: 7.3 × 4.25 × 6.3 in
• Capacity: About 566 ml (19 fl oz) when filled to the brim
• Materials: Red clay with a hand-applied kiln-altered glaze; bamboo handle; stainless steel strainer
• Heat: Not for use over an open flame
• Finish: Each piece varies slightly in glaze and color
• Made in: Japan
• Item number (MPN): CJ-TR1

Features

• Bird-head spout and round body, designed by Makoto Komatsu
• Hand-applied kiln-altered glaze on red clay; no two alike
• About 566 ml (19 fl oz) capacity
• Stainless steel strainer basket included in the design
• Sprung bamboo handle
• Pairs with the goat-shaped Yagi teapot

Best for

A pot of sencha or oolong for two or three; an afternoon tea tray; serving warm sake at dinner. A thoughtful gift for tea drinkers and collectors of Japanese studio-style ceramics. Pairs well with the Ceramic Japan Yagi Goat Teapot by Makoto Komatsu.

Who this is not for

• Heating on a burner: it is not for open flame, so boil water in a kettle first.
• Serving a crowd: it holds about 566 ml, two or three small cups.
• Anyone who expects identical pieces: the hand-applied glaze makes every pot unique.

Why we carry it

We’ve been curating design-led pieces since 2009, and Japanese craft objects like this one earn their place by being used every day. Ceramic Japan was founded in 1973 in Seto, Aichi, one of Japan’s oldest pottery towns, and works with designers to turn traditional ceramic techniques into objects for everyday life. Its New Crinkle Super Bag vase, modeled on a crumpled paper bag, was selected for the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Makoto Komatsu, born in Tokyo, studied craft design at Musashino Art Junior College, later taught as a professor at Musashino Art University (1999), and won the Exhibition Design Award at the 1st Mino International Ceramics Exhibition in 1986. He has shown widely in Tokyo and at international exhibitions, including the World Modern Ceramic Art Exhibition in Shanghai and the 4th World Ceramic Biennale in Korea.

Buy once: durability and care

Empty the strainer after use, rinse the pot in warm water and leave the lid off to dry. Avoid soaking the bamboo handle, and never put the pot over a flame.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Tori teapot hold?

About 566 ml (19 fl oz) when filled to the brim, enough for about three small cups.

Is there a strainer in the Tori teapot?

Yes, a stainless steel strainer basket for loose-leaf tea.

Can I heat water in the Tori teapot on the stove?

No. It is not for use over an open flame; pour in water heated in a kettle.

Will my Tori teapot look exactly like the photos?

Close, but not identical: the glaze is applied by hand and altered in the kiln, so each pot varies in tone.

What is the difference between the Tori and Yagi teapots?

Tori is round with a bird-head spout and holds about 566 ml; Yagi is a lower oval with a goat-head spout and holds about 546 ml. Both are by Makoto Komatsu.

Which kitchens suit the Tori teapot? (our styling advice)

Japandi, wabi-sabi, rustic and warm minimalist kitchens; on open shelving it reads as a small sculpture.

Trade pricing for design professionals

Interior designers, architects, stylists and hospitality buyers can apply to the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for trade pricing on Ceramic Japan and the rest of our catalog, a dedicated trade support line, and help sourcing in quantity. Applying takes about three minutes, and our trade team reviews every application personally, usually within one business day.

Shipping & returns

Ships in 2–3 business days. Orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states. All sales are final, so check the size and specifications above before ordering; if your order arrives damaged or isn’t what you ordered, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we’ll make it right.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.