When I first opened the package, I was slightly disappointed by the coloring. The pot in the photo has a more pronounced gradient of color, whereas the gradient on mine is less striking and a little darker overall. That being said, after making a single pot of tea, my initially negative impression was whisked away.
It's an adorable size, perfect for a personal cup of tea. The internal screen filters the majority of leaf particles (no issues with gyokuro, hojicha, or soba cha) — the main reason I wanted a new pot. The handle fits perfectly in my hand and the layout (perpendicular to the spout) allows for a perfectly controlled pour. The lid even stays on at extreme angles without being held in place, although I do usually prefer to put my finger on it. After tea time is over, clean up is a breeze and it's easy to wash the leaves off the screen.
As you can tell, I've grown to adore this pot. So much so that I leave it on the counter when not in use. Very happy and highly recommended.
