Yakishime tea set, small, with lid and tray

<Fujiso Seitosho> Yakishime tea set, small square, with lid and plate. Teapot: approx. H9.5 (including lid) x D10.5cm (excluding handle), Capacity: approx. 300ml, Bowl: approx. H4 x D6cm, Capacity: approx. 50ml, Plate: approx. H2 x D10.2cm, Ceramic, Made in Japan. *Microwave safe. As this is a handmade product, the color, pattern and size may vary. The handle is made into a square shape for easy holding, and the edge of the lid is hollowed out slightly so that the lid can be held down with the thumb. The tea strainer holes in the teapot are carefully drilled by hand by craftsmen. More delicious and easier to use than Mie Prefecture An evolution of the Banko-yaki teapot Banko-yaki is a type of pottery that is handed down in the areas around Yokkaichi City and Komono Town in Mie Prefecture. It is known for its earthenware pots and teapots, which account for about 80% of the domestic production, and is a simple and warm pottery. It began in the Genbun era (1736-1740) of the Edo period, when a wealthy merchant from Kuwana, Numanami Rozan, had a passion for tea and built a kiln in what is now Asahi-machi, Mie-gun, and fired tea utensils himself. It developed because the area was blessed with high-quality clay and forests to provide firewood for the kiln, and was adjacent to Yokkaichi Port, which allowed tea utensils to be transported by sea without being damaged.
It is said that "tea brewed in a Banko teapot is delicious," and the reason for this lies in the clay and firing. The purple clay teapots that represent Banko ware are made using red clay that is rich in iron, and the product is fired in a "reduction firing" process that uses oxygen. This changes the iron in the base material, which reacts with the tannins in the tea, softening its astringency and making it taste mellow.
This teapot was created to enhance the flavor of tea and make it even easier to use. It is manufactured by Fujiso Seitosho, a company established in Yokkaichi City in 1907. "I aimed to create a tool that would be convenient and would allow me to brew delicious tea myself," says Fujii Kenji, the fourth-generation owner. The teapot was completed over a period of two years with the user in mind.
First, they eliminated the tea strainer, which affects the taste of the tea and is difficult to clean. Instead, they drilled holes in the spout of the main body. The shape was made using a plaster mold, and when the base was at the perfect hardness for drilling holes, craftsmen used specially made tools to drill them by hand. There were about 100 of them, but because the size and number of holes greatly affect the taste of the tea, they made many prototypes.
The V-shaped spout allows you to pour every last drop of tea without dripping, the inside is coated with glass glaze to prevent tea stains and tea leaves from sticking, and the recess where you can place your fingers to hold the lid is also surprising when you actually hold it in your hand. The fourth generation owner says, "Tradition is something that is created." Tradition will eventually fall into disuse if it is only preserved. This teapot truly embodies the company's desire to "create things that will become 'traditional' in 100 years."
The lid plate in the set can be used not only to place the lid, but also for sipping tea. If you pour tea leaves and a small amount of hot water into the bowl and drink it, you will be able to feel the aroma and sweetness more strongly. The name "Banko" comes from the aforementioned Numanami Rozan stamping the "Banko" or "Banko Fueki" seal on his tea utensils so that they would last forever without changing. As the name suggests, you will want to keep it close at hand for a long time and use it with care.