FAQ
Hello!
Thank you once again for exploring our collection! Your support and positive feedback mean a lot to us, and we're thrilled to connect with fellow tea enthusiasts. Here on our FAQ page we have compiled a list of topics that we hope will inform you before your purchase and help answer any questions you may have. If you still have questions after reading this page, please do not hesitate to send us a message!
PMing for price
We are in the process of updating out website. If you see an item you like, please send us a message using through the chat function or for a faster response, message use through Instagram and we will be happy to give you more information.
The website
Our website was originally intended for Japanese customers to use as an extension of our teahouse menu, providing more information about each tea. Unfortunately, we have found that uploading to Instagram and also creating individual product pages for each individual item to be very time consuming. We are working towards adding all items to our website in the near future.
How to order
The best way to order is to send us a private message on Instagram to discuss availability and price. You can use the website to find the tea and teaware you would like; each tea has a number associated with it, making it easy to order. If you would like to buy an antique, please send us an Instagram PM with the tea numbers and a links to the item you would like to purchase
Payments
For now, we are accepting money through bank transfer. You are responsible for the transfer fee though using Zelle may help to waive the fee.
Shipping
We use EMS/Japan Post to send our packages. Shipping is dependent on region; you can use the Japan Post website to find prices based on estimated weight. We will provide you with the final cost after weighing your shipment.
Reservations
We often get messages asking if we can reserve an item.While we are not able to reserve items, it is possible to place a non-refundable deposit. If you would like to buy an item but want to add items to your order as we post new items, you can pay for that particular item, and we will hold it for you until you are ready to send it.
Returns , exchanges, and the nature of antiques
All sales are final. We cannot accept returns or exchanges under any circumstance.
We do not authenticate or appraise antiques. We collect antiques and (sometimes) resell them. Our product descriptions are therefore based off of our own opinion and from consulting with others whose opinion we have come to value to provide you with the best information we can, however, we strongly encourage you to do your own research. We do not make any absolute claims about these items and it is your choice ultimately if you would like to make a purchase with us. If an item has been authenticated or appraised by a professional, we will include that in the comments.
Furthermore, we are not able to test and verify the safety of items for substances such as lead or other contaminants. Therefore, items should be considered for display purposes only and we advise customers to use them at their own discretion.
Dealing with antiques and handmade goods, it is inevitable that there will be irregularities in shape, size, and color. Additionally, items are always sold "as is" unless stated otherwise, which in that case we will clarify if we have done any cleaning, servicing, mending, etc. We do our best to display any flaws in photos and we try to reinspect to make sure there are no glaring problems that weren't clear while packing. But again, these items are often imperfect and we cannot guarantee flawlessness and functionality; therefore, please buy only at your own discretion. In the event that an item is broken during shipping, the shipping insurance can be used to cover the damage. We pack our boxes very carefully with lots of padding and support for the journey.
Antiques/ Yixing teapots
For Yixing teapots, please see this website for more information as it provides a very thorough overview: https://servania.wixsite.com/guide-to-yixing
Additionally, we recommend that with most pots that are single hole spouts, that you invest in a filter. It will greatly improve the user experience and prevent clogging.
For teapots or any other item, if you would like to purchase a protective box please let us know and we will add it to your order. We also have small soft cloth pouches.
Yixing teapots, especially factory pots, often have kiln cracks or other imperfections. These are only cosmetic and will not affect your usage.
Early pots are more sensitive and therefore we recommend that you preheat them by adding war,/hot water before adding tea and boiling water. You can also pour water water along the outer walls. This will help prevent cracking.
Tetsubin/Iron kettle
Since iron kettles are usually quite old, they may not be in perfect condition and may have flaws and rust. However, we do our best to ensure that our kettles are functional and check for leaks by leaving water in them for 24 hours. With that said, we cannot guarantee that they will function.
We also make an effort to check for previous repairs made on the tetsubin before selling them. Though previously I personally restored many of our tetsubin, moving forward we will share them in their current state. It is a time consuming process and only makes sense to do when they have been spoken for. Also, several people have asked for the tetsubin in their raw state so they can decide on their own how to proceed.
If you wish to have your tetsubin cleaned or repaired, we offer that service. Basic cleaning and restoration services cost around $100 and repair services usually start at $150. Please note that if cleaning is requested, we do not take responsibility for any damages (unless an egregious error is made such as dropping the kettle) and cleaning is done at your own risk. However, rest assured that we take the utmost care in cleaning the tetsubin.
After using an iron kettle, it's best to dry the inside gently by allowing the residual heat from the stove to dry it (in the "off" position) and removing the lid. Alternatively, you can pour out all the water, remove the lid, and gently blow inside. It's normal for iron kettles to have a small amount of rust inside, but if there's a lot of rust, the water can become turbid and it may not be pleasant to use.
Over time, iron kettles will develop a white or even an orange barrier on the inside, which is a good thing! Additionally, iron kettles are either raw and unfinished or finished with lacquer. Lacquer kettles are more carefree, but they don't offer the same benefits as a raw iron kettle.
Electric stoves
Japanese electric stoves can be used without loss of power in the USA. They may or may not have a third grounding prong but sometimes have a grounding wire if this is a concern for you. We test the stoves to ensure they get hot but since many are antique we cannot guarantee the heat output.