This Jian tea bowl (aka Temmoku), with its deep, solid brown or persimmon-colored glaze, reflects the refined simplicity and functionality of Song Dynasty tea ware. This bowl’s uniform glaze creates a smooth, lustrous surface, achieved through high-temperature firing in Jian kilns. The iron-rich glaze pools slightly at the base, deepening in tone, while the thick walls and slightly rough, unglazed foot showcase the robust craftsmanship typical of Jian ware.
Adding to its beauty is a kintsugi repair—golden lacquer tracing the cracks, transforming past breakage into part of its story. This Japanese art of repair honors the bowl’s history, celebrating imperfection rather than concealing it. Once cherished by tea practitioners for its ability to retain heat and enhance the visual contrast of whisked tea, this bowl now carries an even deeper resonance, symbolizing resilience, transformation, and the enduring legacy of both Song Dynasty ceramics and Japanese aesthetics.
