Jian ware (also known as Jian Zhan or Tian Mu Porcelain) is Chinese Black Porcelain originating from Jianyang, Fujian province.
In the Song Dynasty's "The Record of Tea" it was said about Jian Zhan:
"Tea is of light color and looks best in black cups. The cups made at Jianyang are bluish-black in color, marked like the fur of a hare. Being of rather thick fabric, they retain the heat so that when once warmed through they cool very slowly, and they are additionally valued on this account. None of the cups produced at other places can rival these. Blue and white cups are not used by those who give tea-tasting parties."
The Jian Zhan Tea Cup is the pinnacle of Black Porcelain. It saw its rise during the Song Dynasty. This pottery style was studied in depth by Japanese potters for use during Japanese tea ceremonies, known as Chanoyu. While in China this pottery style was lost, it continued flourishing in Japan, where it became a national treasure. The style is referred to as Tenmoku in Japan.
Lost for over 700 years, the craft made its way back to China in 1979, when Chinese potters fired their first hare's fur cup and revived the original Jian Zhan pottery using the unique iron-rich clay of Fujian.
Yang Jia Jang, an Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a National First-Level potter from Jianyang. Yang graduated from Northeast University, Department of Fine Arts, where she learned the craft from the famous potter Sun Fukun. A mutual friend introduced us to Yang Laoshi during one of our trips to China. We were really moved by her dedication and deep love for the art of Jian Zhan pottery making.
The cups we picked for our shop are exceptionally thin, which is very hard to achieve due to a high breakage ratio in a kiln as the distinguished Jian Zhan effects can only be achieved with a high-iron glaze and high firing temperatures.
When drinking tea from a Jianzhan teacup, the brew's temperature will stay pleasantly warm for a long time. While you sip the tea, watch the colors of the glaze gently play and intermingle with the tea. The dark yet vibrant colors of the iron-rich glaze will unite, forming beautiful blues and other magical colors. As you drink tea from these cups, the glaze will get seasoned over time, producing even more vibrant colors.
Furthermore, the qualities of the teacup soften the water, making it more alkaline, smooth, and flowing. When comparing the water side by side with a regular porcelain teacup, the difference doesn't go unnoticed. The precious aroma of the tea becomes more evident.
Material: Jian Zhan Porcelain (Black Pottery / Tenmoku)
Glaze Type: "Hare's fur"
Capacity: 40ml
Single-cup: Comes with a pouch and a certificate.
Set: Two teacups with a certificate and a wooden box
NOTE: This teacup is handmade. It makes each teacup truly unique and one of a kind.
NOTE: Avoid using detergents when cleaning.