Tokoname

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Tokoname is one of six ancient kilns in Japan, and is famous to this day for their production of artisan teaware. Although modern techniques are often used in the manufacture of Japanese teaware, many artists in Tokoname still produce artisan teapots in the traditional method.

From Artistic Nippon:

Tokoname is a small city, situated in central Japan (right next to the newly built Centrair airport). Most of the houses in the historical area were traditionally painted black, so that they did not show the dirt from kiln fumes. It is said that Tokoname people did not realize that sparrows weren't black until they went to the next town and saw their true color. Nowadays, the black fumes which used to envelop the town are no longer evident., but the atmosphere and character of Tokoname's heyday lives on.

From Artistic Nippon:

Tokoname teapots are made from clay rich in ferric oxide. This reacts with tea tanin, removing traces of bitterness and giving the tea a mellow taste. This is one of the reasons why Japanese green tea lovers favour Tokoname teapots. Tokoname teapots are recognized as the best of their kind in Japan, just as Yixing teapots are recognized in China.