Qing Yue (清越) Da Hong Pao Zhuni Yixing Teapot

清越 - 大红袍朱泥 - 史文洁

High grade Zhuni was used to make this pretty teapot, an original design of young artisan and prodigy Shi Wen Jie. Under tutelage of her father, the renowned National Master Shi Yin Zhi (史银之), 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.

On this piece, the artist has adorned a classic rounded form with delicately spreading leaves, anchored with branches on each side of the body and atop the lid. As we have come to expect from this studio, the artist's treatment of the clay is superb, using its qualities to express the fluidity of the leaves in contrast with the strength of the weathered branches. Details are executed with refinement and precision; despite the knots and swirls, the handle is formed to perfectly accommodate the traditional thumb-and-finger pinched grasp.

This very high grade of Zhuni is informally known as Dahongpao (Big Red Robe), referring to its rich hue. Dahongpao Zhuni is mostly mined from Zhao Zhuang, not HuangLong Shan. This clay is typically used only for smaller pots (90 - 120ml) due to high shrinkage causing fragility when firing. However we typically prefer larger sizes for puerh given the size of leaf (even maocha!) and heat retention needed, so we are delighted with the results on this slightly larger pot.

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.