Ginpo Banko Donabe "Japanese Clay Pot"
In 1932, Sutematsu Kumamoto, the first generation of the company, built a factory to realize high quality manufacturing that I can be satisfied with. In the midst of hardships and challenges, he listened to the voices of users and continued to develop earthenware pots that fit into people's lives. The "Kikka" series, completed through this history, continues to bring smiles to diners around the world.

Donabe "Japanese Clay pot" are used in Japanese restaurants that serve authentic hot pot dishes such as Chanko-nabe, Kimuchi-nabe and Oden. Do you know why?
This is simply because using a Donabe is the best way to make your food tasty.
Cooking professionals knew this from their senses, but it is also known scientifically that cooking with a Donabe can produce 30% more glutamic acid, one of the ingredients that humans find delicious, compared to using metal pots.
It is said that glutamic acid, the main ingredient of "Umami", is produced more when the temperature of the protein in the food is between 35-55℃. Donabe pots can help this process with the following features.

Gentle Heating
A Donabe, whose temperature rises slowly when heated, can bring out the umami of ingredients and produce a clear soup without falling apart.

Excellent heat storage
Since Donabe do not change temperature easily, they retain heat even after heating is stopped.

Effect of far-infrared rays
The far-infrared rays emitted by Donabe heat the food evenly and keep the umami flavor intact.

Kikka Donabe is the realization of the wishes of people who cook, as Ginpo has been making clay pots loved by many cooks for many years. While earthenware pots make food tasty, there was an unchangeable common sense that they were troublesome to clean and handle. But now, thanks to Ginpo's technology, these problems have become avoidable.
Three common practices that Ginpo has overcome

No need to season
Conventional clay pots need to be filled with water dissolved in flour and boiled for a long time before use to seal the minute holes in the surface of the clay pot. Kikka clay pots do not require this sealing process and are ready to use as soon as they arrive at your home.

15% lighter than conventional products
Clay pots used to be heavy and difficult to carry, but through the optimization of our unique clay blend and shape, we have succeeded in reducing the weight by 15% without compromising heat retaining properties.

Easy to care
One of the reasons people hesitate to use clay pots was that it was difficult to remove stains and odors from the bottom of the pot, but these have been greatly improved by an in-house developed glaze.
Furthermore...

It is designed to be lower in height than a typical Donabe, making it easy to store in a cupboard! The lid can be flipped upside down to make it even more compact.
GINPO Kikka Banko Donabe Japanese Clay Pot
GINPO Kikka Japanese Clay Pot is the next generation of clay pots that match the modern lifestyle. It can be used immediately after purchase because it does not need to be seasoned before use. It is 15% lighter than conventional products while retaining the heat retaining properties of clay pots. It is easier to handle and you can enjoy freshly cooked hot food on the table. The black body part uses an in-house developed glaze that prevents odor and stain problems. You can enjoy not only hot pot dishes, but also soup curry, cheese fondue, and many other dishes. In order to create a beautiful table, the coloring is based on traditional Japanese colors. The design matches today's diversified interiors.
Available in 2 colors: Navy and Brown
Dimension:
・D24cm(9.4in) x H13.5cm(5.3in) / 1.9L(64.2oz) / For 2 to 3 persons
・D28.5cm(11.2in) x H15.5cm(6.1in) / 2.7L(91.3oz) / For 4 people
GINPO Kikka Banko Donabe Rice Cooker
Anyone can easily make delicious rice in just 30 minutes with this Kikka Japanese Clay Rice Cooker. The water level scale is engraved on the inside of the pot, saving you the time of measuring the water with a measuring cup. The double-lid construction eliminates the risk of spillage, and with the simple step of "turn off the heat when you see steam," anyone can easily enjoy freshly cooked, delicious rice. It can be reheated and served at the table as it is, as it is designed to fit in a household microwave oven. Suitable for stewed dishes in addition to cooked rice. Oden, stew, and soup etc. are less likely to fall apart, and the broth soaks into the ingredients well, giving them more Umami.
Mr. Hidemasa Yamamoto, the former Executive Chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., and the first Executive Chef of Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, has also given his seal of approval to the product, saying that it is easy to use and produces delicious freshly cooked rice without any mistakes.
Available in Navy
Dimention:
・D22.5cm(8.9in) x H16cm(6.3in) / 1.8ℓ(60.9oz)
<Rice capacity: 2 to 3 cups>
・D25.5cm(10in) x H18cm(7.1in) / 2.6ℓ (88oz)
<Rice capacity: 3 to 5 cups>