In the late 19th century, makers of a Japanese ceramic ware called Banko-yaki began producing an unusual export commodity that was as different from their domestic product as one could imagine. While the earlier wares featured typical ceramic forms made from brick-red, iron-rich clays that were devoid of most glazing and ornamentation, the new wares often employed multi-colored, marbleized clays and were highly decorative with colorful overglaze enamels. They emphasized sculptural shapes and molded features in high relief that depicted flowers, birds, sea creatures, land animals and human figures with much charm and humor Some Banko pottery is unglazed while others can be very colorful and abundantly decorated with sculpture-like high reliefs in very imaginative shapes.

The original Banko pottery is said to have started in the mid-seventeenth century in the province of Ise, Japan. It had long since ceased to exist when in the mid-nineteenth century Mori Yusetsu bought the rights to produce pottery in the same area using the original potter's seal.