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Bankoyaki teapot from the Jitsuzan Kiln
Ito Jitsuzan's artwork.
Banko-yaki (Banko ware) has a roughly 300 years old history. The first Banko pots date back to the Genbun era (1736-1740, Edo period), when a merchant called Nunami Rozan got captivated by the Way of Tea, built a kiln in the town of Asahi, Mie prefecture, and started making his own pottery. What once started as a hobby of a merchant turned to be a world-renowned earthenware, recognized as "Traditional Craft" by the Ministry of Economy in Japan. Today, there are more than 100 Banko-yaki kilns centering around the cities of Yokkaichi and Komono in Mie Prefecture.
The “shidei” teapot is one of the hallmarks of Banko-yaki. It is made of red Banko clay, which is exceptionally rich in iron. When the clay is fired in reduction chamber, the heated iron particles turn the color of the clay from deep red to purplish-brown: the signature color of Banko ware. They say the more the teapot is used, the more beautiful and lustrous it becomes. The unglazed purple clay reacts with the tannic acid in the tea, smoothing away the bitterness.
This shiboridashi is made with great precision, ensuring a beautiful flow without dribbling. It is a slow-pouring teapot, best for premium quality sencha and gyokuro.
Place of Origin: Japan, Mie prefecture
☆ WE GUARANTEE SAFE DELIVERY - if the product gets damaged in transit we will replace or make a refund.
☆ HANDMADE PRODUCT - Please note that the item we have in stock might not be the same piece shown on the pictures above. Each piece is unique and slightly different from each other. If you are particular about either the size, the capacity or the appearance, contact us, and we will share photos or the exact details of our available pieces in stock.
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Item code: TDK318
Artisan: Ito Jitsuzan
Origin: Japan, Mie Prefecture
Material: clay
Capacity: A) 100 ml / 3.38 fl oz; B) 90 ml / 3.04 fl oz; C) 70 ml / 2.36 fl oz (full capacity without tea leaves)
Dimensions: A) Φ 9.8 cm, H: 6.7 cm; B) Φ 9 cm, H: 5.7 cm; C) Φ 7.4 cm, H: 5.3 cm (± 0.2 cm)
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Posting time can vary due to the manufacturers capacity, Japanese national holidays, as well as natural disasters or accidents, etc., and we can not guarantee posting dates.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us
Initiation:
Before first use, rinse it with hot water, then let it dry completely!
Usage:
Avoid placing it on hot surfaces, like a stove, and never use it in a microwave or oven.
Cleaning:
Tea stain is the natural part of a teapot's "maturing process", but if you prefer to avoid it, rinse the teapot well after every use, and do not let the tea leaves sit in it for too long. It is better to avoid dishwashing liquid, but you can use gentle, organic soap to clean your pot. Never use bleach!
Avoid using the dishwasher or dryer!
As you touch it, your hands' natural moisture might leave stains on the surface. You can easily remove that by gently rubbing it with your fingers.
Storage:
After use, always let it dry completely, for if stored away while still wet, it might develop an unpleasant smell or mold.
Non-glazed ceramic tea pots absorb scents and flavors, so only prepare one class of tea in them (green tea, black tea, roasted tea, etc).
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Jo******, 2023-05-23 01:25 JST,
I got size A (100ml). It has 90ml capacity WITH leaves. It’s a great piece! I was slightly anxious when it first arrived because it looked larger than it is, but that’s just because it has thick walls. When choosing which size you want, remember that this has pretty thick walls and can feel larger and heavier than what you’re used to (weighs around 210g, 2x as heavy as any other japanese or chinese wares I have at this size). My anxieties were out at ease after using it, when I found it was easy to handle, but I also have large hands. I’d recommend “B” if you do not have large hands. It is incredibly dense, it feels like you are using a rock. It has a nice pour. It can be laminar, it can be more turbulent, depending on how you pour. The three “gashes” serve as a great filter, and helps keep even small bits from escaping. You will get some dust. The clay has a smooth, “metallic” look with a nice iron-rich red color. It’s not shiny, but it does have a SLIGHT sheen contrasted by a nice “weel-thrown” texture that maintains a nice rustic appearance. Sazen’s product images are pretty on point. The BEST thing about this, in my opinion, is the effect the clay has on teas. It does a pretty great job mellowing some bitterness and harshness Sencha might have. It IS NOT a miracle worker, but instead works by adding a soft, warming quality to the taste that seems to mask it a bit. This makes it a great crutch if you’re having difficulties with certain Sencha, and serves as a great tool to bring your favorite Sencha to a new level.
Unique, golden color sencha grown only in one plantation in Shizuoka
