In the realm of purple clay (zisha), there are numerous types of clay. Just as each type of clay imparts a distinct character to the wares crafted from it, like the diverse facets of all living beings, each with its own charm. Today, the teaware recommended by Tongxinshe Teahouse is a perfect example of the integration of zisha art and culture.
This hexagonal Qin Quan teapot, meticulously handcrafted by Master Pan Lijun, comes with the gentle texture of literati duan ni clay. Literati duan ni clay, derived from the symbiotic ore of purple clay and green clay, exhibits soft tones after firing. Shades of beige, light gray, and others exude an elegant temperament. It combines a delicate texture with good air permeability, aligning with the aesthetic tastes of literati, as if born to carry cultural connotations.
The depiction of Bodhidharma on the teapot, engraved by Yidian Meng Xiaofeng, is where the soul of this piece lies. Bodhidharma, the first patriarch of Chinese Chan Buddhism from South India of the Brahmin caste, had an unsuccessful meeting with Emperor Wu of Liang. Later, he crossed the Yangtze River on a single reed and went to Songshan Shaolin Temple, meditating facing the wall for nine years. With silent inaction, he attained a profound understanding of Mahayana Buddhism and enlightened his mind to see one’s true nature. His wisdom of “not scheming about the past, not worrying about the future, not clinging to the present” is infused into this engraving. The long eyebrows, bearded face, and closed - eye expression, with exquisitely lifelike facial features and the muscles and bones of the hands fully showcasing a transcendent demeanor, vividly interpret Bodhidharma's serenity and profound insight during his nine - year wall - facing meditation, making viewers seem to witness his stillness and enlightenment.
When brewing tea with this teapot, the characteristics of literati duan ni clay come into play subtly. When brewing green tea, such as Longjing or Biluochun, it can lock in the freshness and not overpower the elegant aroma. When paired with yellow tea, like Junshan Yinzhen or Huoshan Huangya, its gentleness matches well, preserving the mellow texture. For lightly fermented oolong tea, such as清香 - type Tieguanyin or Taiwanese high - mountain oolong, it can also highlight the sweet and refreshing aftertaste of the tea soup. The integration of tea and teapot seems to stage a dialogue between Zen and tea.
A similar “Hexagonal Qin Quan Teapot with the Depiction of Fudo Myoo” was once auctioned for approximately 92,200 RMB, which attests to its artistic and collectible value. The craftsmanship of Pan Lijun in making the teapot and the artistic ingenuity of Meng Xiaofeng (Yidian) in engraving have turned this teapot into a carrier of culture. At Tongxinshe Teahouse, with zisha as the vessel and culture as the essence, tea lovers hold the teapot to brew tea, gaining self - awareness through the experience of life, as if stepping into a realm of “outer stillness and inner great compassion”. In the ebb and flow of the tea soup, they feel the happiness intertwined with Zen and the glimmer of humanistic spirit. This is the precious gift that this hexagonal Qin Quan teapot presents to those who love tea, Zen, and zisha.