"Happiness is the purpose of traditional Bankoware ceramics. The craftsman is happy to create a unique product, and the buyer is happy to receive and use it for many years to come."
‘Fujisou Seitoujou’ Ceramics Studio was founded in 1907 and officially established in 1958, although their roots were formed all the way back in the Edo period. They are located in the city of Yokkaichi, in Mie prefecture, close to the beautiful ‘Ise Bay’; an area rich in natural resources, such as clay, water and wood.
The company is now managed by the fourth generation of the Fujii family and focuses on tableware and tea pots.
They explain that tableware is not just a necessary item for your everyday meals, but should also contribute to warmth and happiness while doing so – especially because it is a part of daily life. Therefore, they spend a lot of time on the designing of their products, so that they are not only attractive and highly comfortable to use, but also last very long and their beauty increases as it is used a lot.
Mr. Fujii, the CEO, explains that as every human is unique, their goal is to create objects that are unique too, and they therefore think about who would be using their products when designing and modeling them.
1. The lid
The lid is designed in a way that the air can freely circulate inside, making it easier to pour out the tea and prevent the lid from sticking to the pot.
2. Holes
One-hundred holes are created by hand, creating a built-in strainer that will stop tea leaves from falling out of the pot while pouring. It is said that the number and design of holes enhance the flavor of the tea even more.
3. Coating
The insides of the teapots are coated in order to keep the leaves from sticking to the pot, and making it very easy to wash the pot and keep it clean.
4. Spout
The special V-shape design allows you to easily pour your tea without leaking.