The Art of Chinese Tea Bowls

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Hare’s Fur

Characteristics: Delicate, silky streaks in russet brown or silvery-gray, resembling the fine fur of a hare. The lines flow like moonlight under shifting light.

Formation: Iron oxides in the glaze crystallize during high-temperature firing, creating directional streaks under alternating oxidation and reduction in the kiln.

Aesthetic Essence: Praised by Song scholars as "jade-like strands," these patterns mirror the poetic rhythm of tea pouring, harmonizing with the vibrant green of matcha.

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Oil Spot

Characteristics: Glossy metallic spots in silver or gold, scattered like oil droplets on water. The edges shimmer with an otherworldly glow, evoking a starry night.

Formation: Iron-rich glaze releases gas bubbles during firing. As bubbles burst, circular cavities form and refill with secondary crystallization, creating the "oil spots."

Aesthetic Essence: The density and layers of spots are seen as "kiln-born masterpieces," encapsulating the Taoist idea of "a universe within a bowl."

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Yohen

Characteristics: Iridescent halos shift between blue, purple, and gold, resembling the aurora borealis. Extremely rare, with only a handful of authentic examples worldwide.

Formation: A delicate balance of glaze thickness, temperature curves, and cooling speed causes light interference within multi-layered crystalline structures.

Cultural Status: Dubbed "a galaxy in a bowl," Japan’s national treasure Yohen Tenmoku originated from Jian Zhan techniques. A single piece can surpass $15 million, symbolizing the pinnacle of kiln alchemy.
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Partridge Feather

Characteristics: Dense, rounded spots in ash-white or ochre, contrasting vividly against the black glaze, mimicking the breast feathers of a partridge.

Formation: Ash or minerals added to the glaze react with iron oxides at high temperatures, forming milky, opaque crystalline clusters.

Cultural Symbolism: Song tea classics describe it as "radiant gold when holding tea," evoking the wild beauty of mountain forests in a tea ceremony.
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Pure Black Glaze

Characteristics: A flawless, mirror-like black glaze with no visible patterns, embodying Zen’s "beauty in void."

Technical Challenge: Requires precise control of glaze composition and kiln atmosphere; even minor errors cause grayish tones or cracks.

Aesthetic Philosophy: The ultimate simplicity. This glaze reflects the Song-era Zen tea ideal of "wabi-sabi" – finding perfection in imperfection.
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WHY BUY FROM JIAN BOWL

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The Art of the Chinese Tea Bowl

Jianzhan

A traditional ceramic tea set of Chinese origin, originating in the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

110+COUNTRIES

110+



Our customers are from more than 110 countries

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