Kyūsu

Takeshi Fujii

The kyūsu, a traditional Japanese teapot, with the handle wrapped in rattan are one of the signatures of Fuukido.

STORY OF THE TRADITIONAL CRAFT

Before starting Fuukidou, Takeshi’s grandfather worked and honed his skills at the most renowned copperware workshop – Gyokusendo, where Takeshi had also worked for two years. In 1954, Takeshi Fujii’s grandfather founded Fuukidou and mainly made vases and Yuwakashi (kettle). Meanwhile, Takeshi’s father preferred making different varieties of vases and high-quality cooking pots. Takeshi treasures the time he worked with his father and grandfather. Their spirits and dedications motivate him to aim high and continue to make better products. “The person I was yesterday made me who I am today; what am I going to be tomorrow? Thinking about it makes me want to do my utmost.”  

As a third-generation metalsmith, Takeshi Fujii wants to create copperware that would create an amazing experience for the users. Originally, Takeshi did not favor any particular type of copperware and simply wanted to make copperware that its owners would treasure. When he met the owner of Bnei Coffee from Tokyo, his interest in making copperware for coffee began.

Through Bnei Coffee, Takeshi understood better how the tools for making coffee relate to the actual customer needs and experience. While Takeshi still makes Fuukidou’s signature utensils, he has taken it upon himself to make copper drip pots and servers, which would enhance the brewing experience. Nowadays, quality coffee drip pots with thin spouts and coffee servers have become one of Fuukidou’s signature items. 

Thin spout coffee pots are favored for baristas in brewing coffee with the traditional Nel Drip method. The precise control of water stream, roast levels and grind size of beans are crucial to the fragrance of coffee. The angle, thickness, curvature of the spout, and the handle must all be considered in making the pot. These factors change the taste of the final brew by dictating the amount of strength a barista uses when pouring water into the coffee grounds. With constant conversations, Takeshi creates unique coffee pots with traditional techniques.

Takeshi thinks that craft is to fully utilize materials and techniques while producing functional yet beautiful works. Takeshi once repaired a copper coffee pot made by another craftsman at the request of a client. The difficulties and challenges in the repairing process remain a memorable experience that Takeshi appreciates deeply.

In Tsubame-sanjo, many hardworking and talented youngsters are engaged in metal crafts. Takeshi is greatly heartened by the friendly community of young craftsmen who learn and encourage one another with great humility. Takeshi hopes to pioneer new techniques and a style of his own going forward. He passionately believes that his devotion will soon bear fruit.

MAKING PROCESS

Fuukidou uses the Tsubame-tsuiki technique of forging and metal spinning to create its copperware. The body of the copperware is first raised with either a metal or wooden hammer from a piece of copper sheet. As each pound hardens the material, heat was applied to soften the copper again via annealing. Usually, this takes a few rounds to create the ideal shape of the main copperware body. Other delicate parts are then further refined, using a range of metal hammers, combined with toriguchi rods and ategane (small metal pillars).

After completing the body, craftsmen of Fuukidou would coat a thin layer of tin on the interior. The copper body is first heated to the tin's melting point. The tin coating will be melted and spread evenly across the surface and then set aside to cool. Finally, the spout and handle are welded onto the copper pot.

Artworks from same series

OTHER WORKS FROM EXHIBITION

Lunar Luster

Fanson Lam

See Details

Eternal Illumination: A Journey Through Time

Fanson Lam

See Details

Silent Timekeeper

Fanson Lam

See Details

The Cypress’s Whisper

Liu Wing Sheung

See Details

Tribute

Liu Wing Sheung & Fanson Lam

See Details

The Legacy of Time

Liu Wing Sheung & Fanson Lam

See Details

眾裡尋她千百度

邱穎琛 & 吳茂蔚 & 郭斯恆

See Details

Mahjong Wanderlust – Hong Kong Theme

Ricky Cheung & Karen Aruba & Andypoll Chan

See Details

Seek Her in a Thousand Degrees

Brian Kwok & Clive Ng & Kiki Yau

See Details

Restoration of Kai Kee Rooster Neon Sign

Wu Chi Kai & Brian Kwok

See Details

Sternhalma

PAK & KC

See Details

Arise in Gallops

Siu Ping Keung & Ken Chow

See Details

Back to the Future

Fanson Lam & Jacky Lam

See Details

Somewhere in Time

Cecilia Lai & Barnard Chan

See Details

Bon Voyage

Liu Wing Sheung & Fanson Lam & Jacky Lam

See Details

A Blessing

Lui Ming & Inkgo Lam

See Details

Wood Tectonics-The Floral Pairs

Yip Chun Hang & Jesse Hao & Roy Ng

See Details

Hong Kong Mosaic

Linus K & Chow Man

See Details

The Passage

Wong Kin Hung & Jacky Lam

See Details

Club Chair

Jonas Lutz

See Details

Quiver Stool

Jonas Lutz

See Details

Being Together (Sun & Moon)

Vivian Law & Justin Chan & Ken Chow

See Details

Chamber of Time

Siu Ping Keung & Ken Chow

See Details

Wood Tectonics-The Notch

Yip Chun Hang & Jesse Hao & Roy Ng

See Details

The Array of Joints

Ken Chow

See Details

Cabinet with Rattan Baskets

Cecilia Lai & Barnard Chan

See Details

Vice-Versa

Lau Wai Cheong & Ken Chow

See Details

Heliocentrism

Damian Boylan

See Details

Wood Tectonics-The Stack

Yip Chun Hang & Jesse Hao & Roy Ng

See Details

When & While

Kanok Wan

See Details

Symphony of Weaves

Cecilia Lai & Barnard Chan & Ken Chow

See Details

Yuwakashi (kettle)

Takeshi Fujii

See Details

The Wishes of the Return

Liu Wing Sheung

See Details

Craft-ligraphy

Wah Gor & Nathan Wong & Hazel Lee

See Details

Streamline Sake Cups

Yasutaka Oohashi

See Details

Yuwakashi (kettle)

Yasutaka Oohashi

See Details

Swallow Incense Burner

Susumu Yotsukawa

See Details

Round Peacock Incense Burner

Susumu Yotsukawa

See Details

Silver Chrysanthemum Incense Burner

Susumu Yotsukawa

See Details

Four Mythological Creatures Lid Lifters

Susumu Yotsukawa

See Details

Guinomi Sake Cup ー Natural & Kurourushi ー WAN/ FUJI/ BAMBOO/ DON

Susumu Yotsukawa

See Details

Whale

Yve Chan

See Details

Hemp Leaf Pattern Tray

Ting For Chun

See Details

Tea Caddy

Takeshi Fujii

See Details

Copper Cooking Pot

Takeshi Fujii

See Details

Yuen

Gamzar & Michael Yu

See Details

Different Angles

Yve Chan

See Details

Mirror

Fanson Lam

See Details

Alembic Copper Still

Luk Shu-Choi and Luk Keung-Choi & Dimple Yuen & Ivan Chang

See Details

The Guardian of Hope

Fanson Lam & Liu Wing Sheung

See Details

Four Seasons

Peter Ng & Luk Shu-Choi and Luk Keung-Choi

See Details

Re-united

Jimmy Hui & Yve Chan

See Details

Sake Cup

Takeshi Fujii

See Details

Flower Vase RAPPA SLIM

Susumu Yotsukawa

See Details

Coffee Drip Pot

Takeshi Fujii

See Details

Off Course

Tamotsu Nishimoto

See Details

Teppachi Morikago

Tamotsu Nishimoto

See Details

Takezaiku Basketry

Tamotsu Nishimoto

See Details

Triangular Tray

Chen Yung Sheng

See Details

Chrysanthemum Patterned Night Light

Chen Yung Sheng

See Details

Boat-shaped Woven Fruit Basket

Chen Yung Sheng

See Details

Moonlight Gardenia

Chen Yung Sheng

See Details

The Dawn of Life – Tangle

Chen Yung Sheng

See Details

Taiwan To Go!

Benjamin Wang

See Details

Tea Leaf Storage Baskets (Tight-plaited and Sparse-plaited)

Benjamin Wang

See Details

Picnic Basket

Benjamin Wang

See Details

Lamp (Fruit Tray, Duck-feeding Bowl, Chicken Cage)

Benjamin Wang

See Details

Copper Teapot with Woven Handle

Ting For Chun & Luk Shu-Choi and Luk Keung-Choi

See Details

Hexagonal Chrysanthemum Pattern Coaster

Ting For Chun

See Details

Coffee Filter

Ting For Chun

See Details

Tea Funnel 

Ting For Chun

See Details

Lantern

Ting For Chun

See Details

Moon Halo

Ting For Chun

See Details

Pavo

Dylan Kwok & Chan Lok Choi

See Details

Reborn Merman

Jinno Neko & Cheung Foon

See Details

Swirly

Lawrence Ting & Tuck Chong Sum Kee

See Details

Emerald Lotus

Luk Shu-Choi and Luk Keung-Choi & Anthony So

See Details

GO OUT with Guangcai

SingChin Lo & Joey Leung & Yuet Tung China Works

See Details

Liberty of the Wind

Lam Duen Shan Ming

See Details

Thousand Knots Qipao

Polly Ho

See Details