Purple (Shidei) Yuzamashi Banko Ware by Otsuku Shun tea set The lotus flower shape combines

The lotus flower shape combines nicely with the bright

1 in) in diameter

An apprentice hand-molds each cup then individually corrects it before Master Bai Mu Quan takes over for quality control and

four 35ml tasting cups

Due to Ruby Empress's thirteen year aging process

Purple (Shidei) Yuzamashi Banko Ware by Otsuku Shun tea set The lotus flower shape combinesThe origin of Banko ware ("Banko yaki") dates back to 1736 in Yokkaichi, Japan, when an 18 year old named Rozan Nunami built his own kiln to make ceramics for his favorite pastime, Chano yu (ceremonial tea). Rozan would stamp Banko" () (everlasting) or Banko Fueki" () (changeless) on his ceramics with the hope that they would live forever and be handed down from generation to generation. After Rozan's death, his brothers revived the teaware style,