clareandromeda wrote:I do get combative sometimes when I feel it is warranted. If I misinterpreted your tone I am sorry but looking over this thread again I felt like you were "speaking down" to me. If that was unintentional on your part it is something that perhaps you should try to be aware of.
Ok moving on.
Because an internet search on Banko, yields just sites selling Banko teaware I see on yuuki-cha that; "Well known for their temperature retaining iron rich clay, functionality, and for being produced by highly experienced potters."
Hojo refers to Banko as "purple clay"
Ok so...
"Banko" refers to iron content and is "purple" clay. Is Banko just a Japanese term for clay type (purple)?
Maybe you are not reading Hojo's site very carefully and are missing some of the info that is relative your 'search'. From Hojo:
"In Japan, there were 4 major places known for the manufacturing of clay tea pots: Mie Prefecture(Banko Yaki 萬古焼), Gifu (Onko 温故焼), Aichi Prefecture (Tokoname Yaki 常滑焼) and Mumyoi Yaki (無名異焼） These 4 areas were located at the center part of Japan. Geographically, all these 4 areas are located along the Japan Median Tectonic Line (JMTL) and Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line (ISTL) which is connecting to JMTL. In the history, these places are known to have very active volvanoes. There is no doubt that these areas produce clay with very high minerals content."
Mie is the place where Banko comes from. This is where they find the clay. Banko production is much, much, smaller than Tokoname. According to a conversation I had with Hojo, he told me that Tokoname clay has other clays mixed in with it. In other words, not pure purple clay (what they call purple clay). He said you would have to find something more than 50 years old to have the good, old, clay in it. He said that Banko clay is still the original, plus, the potters he handles reduce the clay in the kiln so they acheive the color and also the 'activation'. Some banko ware is colored to acheive this look and not reduced.
Either Hojo is a great con man or he is an exceptional seller, taking the time and energy to research what he sells.
To answer another of your questions about molds, the more a mold is used, the less details are transferred to the object being made in it. When you look at a Suzuki tetsubin compared to a Kunzan tetsubin, you will see it immediately. If you are lucky, maybe you can get a Kunzan tetsubin that was made in the first few castings. They are not numbered, though. Most of us can't afford a Suzuki and it is not necessary to buy one to get the same effect on water, but, there is a big difference in quality. That is why I say it would be difficult for me to buy something like this from a photo.
Buying 'antique' is usually a less expensive way to go but you will have to deal with the rust issues that all of them have. Most feel that new is the way to go so you can season it with that good Bronx water that is so famous.
But doesn't champagne taste better in a fluted glass?
