Bodhi Leaf (菩提) Ben Shan Lv Ni Yixing Teapot

菩提 - 本山绿泥 - 史文洁

This is an original design by Shi Wen Jie, a young prodigy and daughter of renowned zisha Master Shi Yin Zhi. Her grasp of form and solidity of execution is faultless and she herself is a certified master in the field, winning multiple awards for her work.

This pot is made from the relatively rare Ben Shan Lv Ni from mine No. 4 in Huanglong Shan. The pot's rounded form gives a sense of harmony and centeredness. An etching of the sacred bodhi leaf motif on the body speaks to humankind's reach for enlightenment through diligence and self-awareness, values also inherent in the tea ceremony.

Aside from the bodhi leaf, the rest of the body is left unadorned, reminding one of the need to empty one's mind of unnecessary concerns and focusing one's spirit. Sitting atop the lid is the form of a cross-legged meditating figure (bodhi), formed by the outline of a lotus bud. With its fine detail and flowing curves, this pot is not only a high expression of creative design, but also showcases the artist's faultless technical execution.

About the Clay

This is authentic Ben Shan Lv Ni clay from the legendary No.4 mine in HuangLong Shan mountain. This is now a rare clay as the mine has been closed for over 15 years, and a limited amount remains in the hands of artisans and studios. It is also particularly difficult to fire well, as the high temperatures it needs to avoid creating dark patches (吐黑) also results in frequent breakage. This pot was fired to achieve a particularly cool hue (this clay can also be fired to be a warmer yellow), which fits this spiritual creation perfectly.  

This clay is versatile and will work especially well with young raw puerh, green tea, white tea and light oolongs.  

Click here to learn more about this studio: The House of Shi

CARE OF YOUR ZISHA

1. To clean your new teapot, first rinse well inside and out with lukewarm water. Then fill with hot water just off the boil, steep for 30s and pour out. Repeat the hot water rinse 2-3 times as needed.
2. Brew your favorite tea!
3. After the session, empty the spent leaf and rinse out well with hot water. Dry the exterior gently with a soft cloth if needed to remove any stains that remain.
4. Air dry in a well-ventilated area with the lid removed. 

Other Tips:

• Never use detergent or any other cleaning agent on Zisha!
• Our Zisha is top quality; boiling with tea leaves (or tofu) before use is not needed.
• Your teapot will develop a patina through regular use and care. Avoid pouring tea over the exterior of the pot to hasten the process, this will quickly result in a “dirty” looking pot.