About Suigetsu

Yokkaichi Banko-yaki

　“The Immutability of Banko-yaki” An everlasting art

　 The origins of Banko-yaki date back to the Edo period (1603-1868), when a wealthy merchant by the 　name of Nunami Rozan opened a kiln in Kuwana, in what is today Obuke, located in the town of Asahi in 　Mie Prefecture. Banko ceramic ware gets its name from the idiomatic expression "banko fueki"―　　　　meaning "eternally unchangeing"―which Rozan stamped on his pieces in the hope thet they would be 　　passed down over generations for eternity. The symbol of Banko-yaki is the "shidei" teapot, which is 　　made from locally sourced high-quality iron-rich potter's clay called "shidei"(literally "purple mud"). 　　　Since they are fired without the application of a glaze, the more the teapots are used, the more their 　　aesthetic beauty and luster increase and the more flavorful is the tea they make, which is why they 　　have long been popular among tea connoisseurs.

Suigetsu Kiln

Mie Prefecture’s Yokkaichi city’s Banko-yaki has nearly 300 years of history and it is known as the traditional art craft of the area. It was in this place where, in 1869, the first Suigetsu’s master was born and where he started using the “wooden banko”, a wooden form invented in the Edo period, to start baking teapots, marking the beginning of Suigetsu´s kiln. Actually, it is Suigetsu´s third master, his wife and two sons who are in charge of creating various works, from the traditional ”shidei" teapots to products full of personality, made with all different kinds of new techniques.

Suigetsu(the Third)　　　　　　Kishiyo　　　　　　　　　Jun　　　　　　　　　　Ushio

Suigetsu the First（Kozaburo）　1869～1930

　　1869　Born in Yokkaichi
　　1900　After retired postmaster, he started using the “wooden banko”
　　　　　He signed the pen name of "haiku" in teapots made his.

Suigetsu the Second（Gen）　1901～1990

　　1901　Born in Yokkaichi
　　1982　Presented with Yokkaichi's Culture Distinguished Service Aword

Suigetsu the Third（Hiroshi)　1944～

　1944　Born in Yokkaichi
　1993　Successes to the name of Suigetsu the Third
　1976　Received award at Japan Traditional Art Crafts
　　　　Exhibition From then onwards, recieved 26 times.
　1990　Presented his work to His Majesty the Emperor　(during the ceremony to the succession
　　　　 to the throne)
　1999　Presented his work to the Crown Prince
　2005　Presented with Yokkaichi's Industry Distinguished Service Aword
　2009　Invited to Taiwan's National History Museum"Banko-yaki Flower Patternd Jar" exibited in
　　　　the museum
　2011　Special solo art exhibition at Nihonbashi' Mitsukoshi
　2011　Presented with Yokkaichi's Culture Distinguished Service Aword