Soft-Sheen Japanese Tea Set

This tea set pairs a Banko ware teapot with two matching cups, finished in shidei (purple clay) hue that carries a calm, understated sheen. Banko ware comes from an area neighboring Tokoname and has long been respected in Japan as the birthplace of fine tea vessels. Every piece here is wheel-thrown, giving the silhouettes a poised, well-proportioned presence that feels quietly confident on the table.

The teapot lid seats with a precise, reassuring fit, evidence of an artisan who knows Banko teapots inside and out. It features a built-in ceramic strainer, which gently draws out the tea leaves’ aroma and umami for a smooth, well-rounded cup. Because the teapot is left unglazed, its surface gradually gains depth and luster through use, letting you enjoy the slow, intimate pleasure of a tool that matures alongside your daily ritual.

The set is presented in a high-quality wooden box, carefully fitted and finished with hand-brushed calligraphy on the lid. Its crisp, dignified look adds a sense of occasion, making this collection as suitable for your own home as it is for a thoughtful gift—one that’s sure to be appreciated by anyone who values craft, tea, and time well spent.

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.