Bankoyaki is pottery from Mie Prefecture. This is also called Yokkaichi Banko. A pottery merchant, Nunami Rozan, started a kiln near Ise Shrine 1736 and 1741. Annnelise Crueger, in her book "Modern Japanese Ceramics" p. 158, gives a brief but clear history. Rozan was summoned to Edo (Tokyo) to be the potter for the shogun. His work is called Ko-Banko, or old Banko. He had no successor, but years later Mori Yusetsu bought the Banko seal from the family and began a kiln in Mie Prefecture where he created the light tea ware that became popular in the 1800's. Now days it is most famous for brown tea pots and the cookware for nabemono.
The Banko pottery that westerners are more familiar with was produced for export in Tokyo in the late 1800's through the mid 1900's. This Banko, also known as Asakusa Banko, is grouped with Sumida ware, and Poo ware. These are the Banko vases with the 3D carved shrine designs, as well as the "see, hear and speak no evil" monkey figurines.
Banko ware made in Mie Prefecture is also an area that produces manyIkebana vessels.
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Earthy Banko-yaki kyusuu tea pot |
I have seen a book on Amazon "Fanciful Images: Japanese Banko Ceramics" by Barry Till. I have not read it but thought I would put it out there for those interested in Banko.
Banko-yaki makes a lot of everyday ware in Mishima design. The kiln name for this piece is Ginpo.
Vintage Ginpo gama
Seishu Gama 勢州窯 太楽老作
Banko export ware Made in Japan mark
GENERIC BANKO MARKS
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Right to left 萬古 (Banko) |