Clay Teapots for Connoisseurs: Yixing Ceramics

The clay teapot is preferred by true connoisseurs. Gradually, the Yixing teapot absorbs aromas, and the infusions become a true "work of art" for gourmets, incomparable with teas prepared in porcelain and ceramic teapots.

History of Yixing ceramics

The earliest record of teapot production in this area of Yangxiang (former name of Yixing) dates back to the Song Dynasty. Potters of that time applied the skills they had developed in the production of vases and urns, but they needed to come up with new forms that were more elegant and beautiful. Yixing masters were able to create the highest level, making teapots a work of art, constantly improving the lines.

However, it is generally accepted that the true founder, the "father" of Yixing ceramics is Gun Chun, a talented master. According to some sources, he lived during the Ming Dynasty. Whether this is true or not, no one can say 100% for sure. For many centuries, all manufacturing technologies were passed down from teacher to student by word of mouth, and only in the middle of the 20th century after the war, there were only 50 people left who knew all the technologies perfectly, and those who were able to make them correctly without a single mistake - no more than two dozen! It was then that the People's Government made the necessary decision to support the old masters. As a result, a cooperative was organized, so the production of Yixing ceramics received a "second wind" and regained its former strength.

Production stages

The stages of production of such clay teapots have their own distinctive features:

1. The clay extracted from the ground is first carefully sorted. This is necessary for separation into fractions.
2. Then the key task is to thoroughly dry the clay. This can take several weeks or even years. The exact period is determined for each specific case separately, taking into account the goals and objectives, as well as the composition of the clay. Of course, modern production requires greater efficiency, since vacuum drying is used.
3. The clay, dried in compliance with the technology and methodology, is ground to a powdery consistency. The craftsmen sift it, wash it, and then filter it, simultaneously beating the resulting paste to compact it and displace excess moisture.
4. Now the result of the previous actions is a semi-finished product, stored in a closed container until the final molding begins.

If we are talking about the technology of working with Zi Sha, then this will require colossal experience and a set of tools.

1. Before starting, the master beats the clay again to obtain the optimal thickness for the walls of the teapot.
2. The next step is to form a round bottom together with a strip.
3. Forming the “body” by sealing the joints.
4. Where the spout is planned, a hole is prepared in advance.
5. If everything is OK, then the craftsmen attach the spout with the handle, sealing the seam with extreme care, since the joint should not be visible. It is important that the spout, the level of the top of the handle and, of course, the neck form a water level, the so-called shui ling.
6. Next, the master smooths out the walls of the teapot. This applies equally to both the inner and outer walls. They should be leveled and brought to perfection, after which the lid with the holder in the form of a pearl is formed.
7. An important aspect: the creator's seal is always placed on the outside on the bottom, and if we are talking about a famous master, then also on the inside on the side. The walls are decorated with appliques or filigree carving.
8. The teapot is sent to the kiln for firing. The neck and lid are sprinkled with powder to prevent sintering. The craftsmanship of the creator is demonstrated by how perfectly the lid fits in the finished product.
9. After the firing is complete, the teapot, especially by famous masters, can be additionally inlaid with gold, silver and other precious materials.

Thus, the work on creating a clay Yixing teapot is very painstaking, starting with the model and ending with firing with inlay. You need to be a real jeweler in order to create something valuable and truly beautiful. Everything takes from several days to several months sometimes. However, it should be noted here that there is a faster and easier method when it comes to the release of serial teapots, so to speak, "stamped". In this case, ready-made plaster molds (these are 2 halves of the teapot) are filled with clay by hand. They subsequently:

• are docked;
• the seam is sanded;
• the handle with the spout is attached.

Methods of Roasting Yixing Pottery

Today, there are several methods of roasting Yixing ceramics. Two of them are more modern, resulting from progress, development of science and technology:

• In an electric oven.
• In a gas oven.

However, the ancient method still exists:

• Clay teapots are roasted in a wood-fired Dragon Oven

There is only one genuine wood-fired Dragon Kiln in Yixing today. At one time, Yixing teapots fired in Dragon Kilns were sent to Ninjing, the Southern Capital. It was there that the entire cultural elite, capable of appreciating the level of such products, was concentrated.

Traditional shapes of clay teapots

Yes, a clay teapot has a purely utilitarian purpose, however, as soon as they began to be produced, they were transformed into collectibles and objects of admiration, largely due to the unusualness and originality of their forms.

• Some talented masters of their time were inspired by the phenomena of the surrounding nature, and then the teapot acquired intricate shapes of flowers, fruits and plants. A striking example of this is Lian Zi, Li Xing Hu and many others.
• Other masters turned to Chinese legends and myths for inspiration, such as Rong Tian Hu or, for example, Xi Shi and Lun Dan.
• Often, the basis was real history, and the clay demonstrated the shape of objects related to past eras. Here it is worth remembering Fang Gu, Shi Piao, Zhong Hu and others.
• Sometimes a teapot could express a simple geometric idea or even an abstract one, which did not make it less attractive. One only has to look at the works of Shui Ping Hu, Bian Hu to see this for yourself.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the first illustrated catalogue appeared, which included 20 classic forms of Yixing teapots.

As for the current situation, today it is almost impossible to list all the existing varieties, as there are hundreds of them, but they are all united into 4 large groups:

• Round.
• Square shapes.
• Ribbed.
• Finally, products with floral motifs.

Types of Yixing clay

Yixing clay is a common name for several types of clay that are mined only in this region. They have gained their worldwide fame thanks to various tableware, and, first of all, teapots. Clay similar to Yixing in many parameters is found in different parts of the world, but only Yixing has so much kaolin and many silicate particles. That is why all products immediately after firing acquire a characteristic shine and receive a porous structure as an “inheritance”.

Yixing clay is mined in two places near Shushan:

• In Huanglongshan (Zi Sha and Lu Ni are mined here).
• In Zhaozhuangshan (Zhu Sha). It is very important that the extraction of Zhu Sha has long been maximally controlled, since the reserves of this raw material are limited, so the clay teapot made from it will be the most expensive!

And in Huanglongshan, the clay has 5 layers with their own features and characteristics:

1. Nen Huang Ni - the topmost layer with the worst quality parameters, very soft clay.
2. Ben Shan Lu - the second layer from the top, fossilized clay.
3. Gen Sha has a medium quality level due to its roughness.
4. Ben Shan Lu - this layer repeats the second from the top, and is also fossilized.
5. Finally, the lowest and most valuable layer, Zi Sha (Chinese: 紫砂, pinyin: zǐshā) is also fossilized and is famous for its excellent quality. It is sometimes mined in mines up to 150 meters deep.

When talking about the types of Yixing clay, one cannot help but recall the legend according to which a wandering monk in one village near Yixing told people about the existence of a happy land and showed interested people a place with clay of 5 shades. To obtain a range of colors, from yellow to deep black, different types are mixed, various substances of mineral and organic origin are added as needed, the firing temperature is changed.

Effect on the taste of tea

The taste and aroma of tea - they can change life for the better, and a teapot made of Yixing clay becomes a worthy "frame" for this "diamond". The aroma and taste are influenced by absolutely everything:

• The type of clay used for production.
• Teapot shape.
• Thickness of the walls of the dishes.

Thus, you can discover new facets of drinks every time, brewing tea in different teapots. The most interesting thing is that each teapot is best suited to a certain type of tea. We recommend enjoying creative experiments: change the dishes and types of the ancient drink to find the optimal combination that 100% matches your taste preferences.

Plus, anyone who has ever tried such Chinese clay teapots “in action” will confirm at least 4 of their main features:

1. Clay, used as the main material in production, "absorbs" tea infusion, even if tea is brewed in the dish constantly. That is why teapots that have been in use for a long time demonstrate the skills of wizards, turning ordinary water into tea. This property is directly related to high porosity, since the pores are responsible for good air circulation. In other words, clay absorbs tea components, storing them like honey in a comb.
2. It is very easy to wash the teapot. Everyone knows that if you do not use such a standard container for a long time, then there is practically no chance to avoid foreign odors. The latter are unacceptable for connoisseurs of good tea. The Yixing teapot completely solves this problem - just pour boiling water into it a couple of times and rinse with cool water, and it will again delight you with delicious and aromatic tea.
3. The teapots demonstrate such characteristics as slow heat transfer and extremely low thermal conductivity, so you can enjoy tea drinking without rushing, because the tea will cool down extremely slowly, while you can take the handle of the product without fear of high temperatures! It is impossible to get burned.
4. Yixing clay is extremely heat-resistant. For example, if you pour water into a teapot and start brewing tea directly in it, there is no risk of the teapot breaking.

Cultural Value of Yixing Clay Teapots

It is impossible to overestimate the cultural significance of Yixing clay teapots. They have entered the treasury of Chinese art on par with such trends as:

• Calligraphy
• Painting
• Carvings and many other works of high aesthetic value

Any true connoisseur of Chinese culture and tea sooner or later decides to buy a clay teapot, as this allows you to touch the antiquity, legends, and great craftsmanship of the creators of these products. You can also join their number!