Banko Ware Mug, Couple Cats

At a glance

- Banko yaki (萬古焼) stoneware, Maruyoshi Pottery, Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture; a craft with over 250 years of history
- Two cats' faces sit side by side on the front, in fine outline on cream or painted in cream against black; turn the mug around and a third, simpler face waits on the back
- Approx. 9.6 x 9.6 x 8.6cm, 300ml; dishwasher and microwave safe

Some mornings call for a mug that's in on the joke with you. Two cats grin out from the front of this one, whiskers fanned, clearly pleased about something, sketched in fine outline against cream or painted bolder against black. Give it a turn once the cup's empty and a third face is waiting on the back, quieter and a little shyer, like the same cat caught without an audience.

It comes from Maruyoshi Pottery in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, working in Banko yaki (萬古焼), a stoneware tradition that goes back over 250 years to a Kuwana merchant who built a kiln simply to fire his own tea ware, and stamped each piece banko (萬古), meaning eternity, in the hope his work would last unchanged.

At 300ml, cream and black make an easy his and hers, or simply a nice pair to keep side by side, though each stands perfectly well on its own too. Dishwasher and microwave safe.