Floral Carving Japanese Tea Set

Finished in shidei (purple clay) hue with a calm, understated sheen, this Banko ware teapot and two teacups set comes from a historic pottery region neighboring Tokoname, long regarded as one of Japan’s centers for fine tea ware.

Each piece is thrown on the potter’s wheel and finished with precise, balanced lines. The surface is decorated using a traditional technique called biri: as the wheel turns, the potter carves the clay with a small plane, creating fine, rhythmic grooves that catch the light. Delicate floral motifs are added by hand, gently framing the carved pattern rather than overwhelming it.

The teapot lid fits the body with remarkable accuracy, tracing the outline of the floral form—an alignment that speaks to a craftsperson who has devoted years specifically to making teapots. It features a built-in ceramic strainer that gently draws out the tea leaves’ aroma and umami for a smooth, well-rounded cup. This is not just a tea set, but a vessel where clay, technique, and history come together to accompany quiet moments of tea.

The set is presented in a high-quality wooden box, finished with hand-brushed calligraphy on the lid. The overall impression is composed and refined, making it a piece that feels at home in a thoughtful interior. It is a set to enjoy yourself, and just as fitting as a considered gift for someone special.

Masaki Kiln

Tachi Masaki is a master of traditional craft, specializing in Banko ware kyusu teapots. In his early twenties, he received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry prize and was hailed as a “prodigy” in ceramics. Since then, he has preserved the traditions of Banko ware while creating works attuned to contemporary sensibilities.

His Banko ware teapots are made from iron-rich red clay that turns deep blue-black in a reduction firing, then re-oxidizes into the shidei (purple clay) hue. His work is recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Yokkaichi for its superb craftsmanship.

Artículos de Yokkaichi Banko

Desde vajillas de uso diario hasta floreros, la cerámica Yokkaichi Banko, comúnmente conocida como cerámica Banko, es conocida por su notable variedad. Entre sus creaciones más emblemáticas se encuentra... donabe, o vasija de barro japonesa. Apreciada por su durabilidad y retención de calor, se ha convertido en un elemento básico de las comidas caseras. Hoy en día, alrededor del 80 % de todos los donabe producidos en Japón son de cerámica Banko.

La cerámica Banko se originó a mediados del período Edo (1603-1868 d. C.), cuando un culto entusiasta del té llamado Nunami Rozan comenzó a elaborar cerámica en la actual Kuwana, prefectura de Mie. En lugar de nombrar la cerámica según su región, eligió la palabra "banco”—que significa “eternidad”—como un deseo de que sus creaciones perduren por generaciones. Ese espíritu perdurable perdura hoy en día, y en reconocimiento a su valor cultural e histórico, la cerámica Banko fue designada Artesanía Tradicional por el Ministerio de Economía, Comercio e Industria de Japón en 1979.