Haruka Matsuo

TEA IN THE REALM OF TRANQUILITY

Kigata Banko Yaki was invented 190 years ago by Japanese craft artist Yusetsu Mori (1808-1882). He applied a puzzled wooden mold technique to teapot-making for green tea ceremonies. After the teapot is shaped, the wooden mold can be cleverly deconstructed and removed from inside. This technique allows the teapots to keep the warm handmade feel while being very thin and light, perfectly suitable for preparing green tea.

About Haruka Matsuo

Japanese artist Haruka Matsuo graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts and Gerrit Rietveld Academy Amsterdam. Having studied under Seigetsu Iriyama (1922-2014), Haruka is the 9th successor of Kigata Banko Yaki technique. She adds elements from her own artworks into each tea set giving them a light and modern look.

Meanwhile, the molds that these tea sets are made with, are over 120 years old.

Haruka Matsuo's website: https://www.japansetheepot.nl/

Blog "Story of Haruka Matsuo, a Japanese artist based in The Netherlands"