Linear Carving Japanese Tea Set

Finished in shidei (purple clay) hue with a calm, understated sheen, this Banko ware linear carving 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.

The lid fits the body with a satisfying, seamless precision. It features a built-in ceramic strainer, which gently draws out the tea leaves’ aroma and umami for a smooth, well-rounded cup. Left unglazed, the surface gradually develops a richer sheen through everyday handling, offering the quiet pleasure of seeing the piece grow more beautiful with use.

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, where the potter carves the clay with a small plane as the wheel turns, creating fine, rhythmic grooves that catch the light.

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.