The body of the cup not only serves as the structural support of Jian kiln cups but also possesses practical and artistic qualities. Without a proper cup shape, the cup form has no foundation. The importance of the cup's shape is self-evident. To distinguish and understand Jian Kiln cups is much like understanding people; it requires the ability to discern slowly and savor the details to truly appreciate their charms.
Each craftsman has a different interpretation of cup shapes, and even for the same cup model, there are subtle differences in handmade production because their soul is infused in the cup during the shaping and refining processes. This is also what makes Jian Zhan cups charming.
Different cup shapes have their own unique qualities, and everyone has their own sense of aesthetics. Teacup enthusiasts should trust their judgment and not be swayed by external opinions. There is no such thing as the most beautiful form. If you find a cup shape beautiful at first sight or it becomes more appealing the longer you look at it, then it is definitely the right choice for you.
Let's appreciate the different curvatures below:
Bound Rim Cup 束口器型 (Shu Kou Qi Xing)
The Bound Rim Cup (束口盏) Shu Kou Zhan is the most famous and classic form of teacup in the Jian kiln.
The distinctive feature of the Shu Kou Zhan is a slight concave about 15 to 20mm below the mouth of the cup. This distinct feature is due to a practical reason.
During the process of preparing tea, there is a need to perform a circular motion inside the teacup with a tapping or whisking motion. During this process, the tea will be spilled out of the cup. The raised edge or ridge along the mouth of the Shu Kou Zhan plays a critical role in preventing the tea from spilling over, acting as an anti-spill feature.
The Shu Kou Zhan has a relatively deep and is sometimes referred to as a "deep teacup" or "deep-dish bowl." In the process of preparing tea, where multiple infusions are required, this Jian Kiln teacup must have a certain capacity and cannot be too shallow. The Bound Rim Cup plays an irreplaceable role in the process of making tea and upholding tea ceremony traditions, thus holding a significant value in our exploration of Song dynasty tea culture today.
Recessed Rim Cup 敛口器型 (Lian Kou Qi Xing)
The Recessed Rim Cup 敛口盏 (Lian Kou Zhan) has characteristics that include a slightly inward-tapered mouth, a gently curving belly, a short base ring with a shallow foot indentation.
The overall shape of the "Lian Kou Zhan" (敛口盏) is quite similar to the "Shu Kou Zhan" (束口盏), but the Lian Kou Zhan does not have a groove indentation along the lower edge of the cup mouth. Instead, as it approaches the mouth of the cup, it starts to taper slightly inward, giving it a fuller and flowing overall shape.
Due to its advantages in having a full and comfortable shape, the Lian Kou Zhan is the most commonly produced small teacup for tea consumption. It also offers a wide variety of shapes, with differences in height, width, and the degree of inward tapering along the cup mouth.
Due to its special shape design, it feels substantial and comfortable when held in the hand, making it conducive to a peaceful and meditative tea drinking experience.
Large-sized Lian Kou Zhan, with a certain shape, is also known as Bol "钵" and is specially designed for monks' tea ceremonies. It is sometimes used as a religious vessel but is relatively rare in archaeological findings.
Flared Rim 撇口器型 (Pie Kou Qi Xing)
The Flared Rim 撇口盏 (Pie Kou Zhan) has an outward-flaring mouth, a slightly curved lip, a longer and curved belly, and a shallow foot ring. During the Song dynasty, it was primarily used for dividing and serving tea. It comes in two forms, with either a deep or shallow belly.
Due to its wider mouth of the cup, it tends to cool the tea quicker, making it more suitable for use during the summer. Furthermore, it will be more therapeutic to appreciate the glaze effect within the cup through its wide mouth.
Wide Rim Cup 敞口器型 (Chang Kou Qi Xing)
The distinctive feature of a Wide Rim Cup 敞口盏 (Chang Kou Zhan) is having its outer wall slanting and slightly curved. The cup belly is relatively shallow, with an inward taper towards the lower part with a shallow base ring.
There are medium and small-sized cups where the ratio of mouth diameter to height is often greater than 2:1, resembling a funnel shape. They are commonly referred to as "Dou Li Zhan" (斗笠盏). These cups are highly ornamental and are conducive in appreciating changes in the tea while drinking.
General's Cup 将军器型 (Jiang Jun Qi Xing)
The General's Cup 将军盏 (Jiang Jun Zhan) is a modification form based on the traditional Bound Rim Cup (束口盏) Shu Kou Zhan by incorporating a fuller and wider waist design, giving it a more dignified and imposing overall appearance like a general in his armour.
Due of its distinctive shape, impressive size, and implicit significance, enthusiasts of the General's cup typically project an outgoing, forthright, and noble disposition. The General's cup is sure to make a bold statement at your tea-drinking gathering with friends.
Official's Cap Cup 官帽器型 (Guan Mao Qi Xing)
The official's cap cup is incorporated from both Flared Rim and Bound Rim Cup.
It symbolizes the wish for promotion and wealth, much like an upside-down official's hat.
Even Rim Cup 平口器型 (Ping Kou Qi Xing)
Even Rim Cup 平口盏 (Ping Kou Zhan) is a revised version from Wide Rim Cup 敞口盏 (Chang Kou Zhan). Unlike the sharp slant of the Wide Rim Cup, craftsmen redesign the even rim cup by incorporating a gentler curvature from the base ring upwards giving it a more refined appearance. This is a cup shape that is widely appreciated by many teacup enthusiasts. The flat mouth design has a timeless, straightforward, and elegant appeal, with a touch of rustic charm.
Zen Buddhism Cup Forms
Craftsmen have developed a range of cup designs inspired by their deep connection to Japanese Zen Buddhism. "Tenmoku" is the Japanese name for Chinese Jian Zhan, as these tea bowls were introduced to Japan by monks from the temple in the Tianmu Mountains where they practiced cultivation.
Incense Burner Cup 香炉器型 (Xiang Lu Qi Xing)
Resembling an incense burner in shape, with a bound rim at the mouth. The cup is relatively short with thicker side wall, coupled a round and slightly bulging body, hence it is called an 'Incense Burner Cup.
Zen Meditation Cup 禅定器型 (Chan Ding Qi Xing)
This cup's design lineage can be traced back to the 'Lian Kou Zhan' with a shallow body and a curved, round arch-shaped wall. Currently, it seems to be of a smaller size. The ratio of its mouth diameter to its height is equal to or slightly greater than 2:1, similar to a Zen monk's meditation bowl, hence the name 'Zen Meditation Cup.'"
This passage describes the characteristics of a teacup style known as the "Zen Meditation Cup," which is derived from a traditional style with a shallow, curved, and round design.
Zen Lantern Bowl 灯盏器型 (Deng Zhan Qi Xing)
Zen Bo Bowl 钵体器型 (Bo Ti Qi Xing)
Zen Bo Bowl, known as "Bo Duo Luo" (钵多罗) in Sanskrit, is also called "Bo Yu" (钵盂). The bowl is a tool used in Buddhism, once a common possession of monks and nuns, symbolizing purity and representing the character of practitioners on the path of cultivation.
The shape of the bowl is in the form of a shallow basin, with a protruding waist, the mouth and the bottom of the bowl converge towards the center, with the diameter smaller than the waist. This design allows for easy "measuring" without spillage and provides insulation.