I still have the fresh memory of childhood, my mother brewing green tea in the tiny ceramic teapot, and me carefully sipping the beautiful pale green tea poured in petite tea cups. This ceramic fine teapot which my mother loved to use was crafted in a puzzle-shaped wooden mold. And it has been produced only in my local province, Mie. It’s called “Banko” - means “Eternal”. After that I had the luck to be able to visit the workshop of master craftsman of traditional arts and crafts, Guru Seigetsu who was eighth generation of Banko with my father. I still vividly remember that I was moved to tears observing the Guru Seigetsu applying his astonishing rare technique of using the wooden mold to create　precious teapots　delightfully. I didn’t expect at all that the teapots could be made with that wooden mold, like the wooden block puzzles I used to play with in my childhood. The following day of my visit, I succeeded to his singular historical wooden puzzle molds and this unique Japanese traditional method creating teapot for green tea “Gyokuro”. I would love to see many people enjoying this “Banko” teapot by sharing the time over the tea slowly brewed in the pot with friends and loved ones.

I sincerely wish that this Banko teapot and green tea drinking culture would be passed down the generations and people who enjoy the delightful moment.