Why 5?

Some wonder...why 5?

We get many questions, and one of the top questions at pretty much all of our stores is…

Although there is no definite ONE answer to this question, there are many reasons such as:

1. “The Number 4″
   The number “4″ is pronounced like the word “death” in Japanese, hence considered a bad luck number.The next question that follows is then, “Why not 6?”

   Answer to this part is: Even numbers such as 4, 6, 8 are divisible numbers. In Japanese the word “divide” is considered not good as well-especially in tableware-where the word “divide” (waru) also is the same pronunciation as “break”! In Japanese culture-it is always good to give a gift in odd numbers. So if you give someone 4 pieces of something-you usually say and add, “one more for good luck”.

2. “The Ideal Japanese Family”
   There is also a theory that the ideal Japanese family, consists of a dad, mom, son, daughter, and one more son.
3. “Another Theory…”
   Another theory that in Japan, (if you have ever been there) you will notice that many of the homes are not homes that can accomodate a “party” or entertainment at home like it is very common in the USA. There’s not enough space to accomodate for example 10 people in a house at a dinner table-much less room for 10 people’s worth of tableware either! Space is very limited, so you will rarely find Japanese tableware settings sold in such a large amount. Not to say they don’t exist - it’s just not common.

We hope that this makes sense!  And just a side note-if you only need 4 pieces, think of the 5th one as an “extra” in case one breaks!

Also, even in Japan, times are changing, and there are more and more places that are starting to make in sets of 4 also!

Banko

The name “banko”, unlike other pottery, is not named after where it is produced. The term means “eternal existence” which was stamped on the original banko plates and pots made by founder, Nunami Rozan.

What started as a hobby in the mid 18th century when he was only 20 years old, resulted in a unique style of raku pottery (mixture of tea ceremony style and foreign influence). His work gained its popularity and he was summoned by Shogun Iyenari as official potter in Edo (Tokyo).

The most distinctive Banko-ware are the tea pots. It is made of soft grainy clay.

Banko Tea Pot

Banko Tea Pot

Banko Tea Pot

Please click here to see some of our Banko Items
(sorry more banko pots are to come in the near future)

Buying Trip to Japan

No, he’s not short!! It’s THAT tall!!

Our team is getting ready for the trip to Japan to find the best merchandise at the best prices in Japan!  It is a very stressful job for the buyers as they hunt and negotiate the best prices possible.  But every single staff member has said that it is all worth it, when people in the USA are simply amazed and almost don’t beleive the prices!  We are able to get very good Japanese tableware from Japan, because we buy in such huge bulk to fulfill our USA and Canada locations!  We pass the savings along to our customers in hopes that everyone can enjoy some beautiful Japanese tableware!

We are able to get very good Japanese tableware from Japan.

Starting this year-we will post some photo’s from Japan!  You will be able to see how much of this work is still handpainted, as we try to show you some photo’s from the rural areas of Japan where they still value their work as works of art.  Here are two photo’s from a larger area from previous years.

For the Birds!

Even the birds enjoy our merchandise!

This is from a customer from our Los Angeles Store!

She purchased a plate, and set it outside and put some water / bird seed on it, and the birds have a grand old time! See even the birds enjoy our merchandise!

Broke the lid to my tea pot…

We often get emails from our customers saying that they broke the lid to their tea pot and if we sell just the lid. Unfortunatly- we do not.  At some of our local stores-they may have just lids on the side somewhere -so please feel free to ask a sales associate.  For all the rest who have no retail store nearby…

Some of our customers have come up with the idea to use it as a vase!  Just add a frog (kenzan) some flowers, water and VOILA you have a very unique floral vase!

I have seen these being used at restaurants and cafes also!  They make a very cute center piece!  So before you throw away that tea pot because there is no lid, or you chipped a part of it, why not try it as a nice display piece instead?  Here are some photo’s of some unique display arrangements.

Tea Pot as a vase!

How wonderful!

Banko Pots as Vases

Mino-Yaki

Types of Mino-Yaki :Oribe, Kizeto, Shino

The birth of Mino-ware took place in the mid 16th century in the midst of the booming trend of tea ceremony known as “chanoyu”.  Although pottery making was introduced to the region hundreds of years before, Mino-ware perfected its style during the period of the Momoyama (1568 - 1600).

The region of Mino is located in central Japan, northeast of Nagoya.  It is the biggest pottery-producing region in all of Japan.

There are many styles, but

1. “Oribe”
   Today, the name represents the dark green paint that was invented by a famous tea master and potter, Furuta Oribe.
2. “Kizeto”
   Noticeable by a yellow base with green spots.  “Kizeto” was one of those things in history that was considered a “failure” and later reconsidered as a “masterpiece”.  Originally it was a failed attempt to make Chinese celadon (Seiji) with local clay of Mino.
3. “Shino”
   Characterized by deep crackles in a soft looking thick creamy glaze, and comes in colors such as pink, orange and white.  “Shino” was named after another master and potter, Shino Soushin who was the first tea master to make “chawan” (bowl) for tea ceremonies.

Please click here to view some of our available Mino Yaki Items!