In the vast galaxy of Zisha art, the name "Dezhong" resonates like a grand bell, stirring the heart. It is not merely a tea vessel, but the most condensed expression of the Zisha spirit — calm, upright, and magnificently unadorned. Carrying virtue in its form and embodying aspiration in its shape, the Dezhong teapot has long been recognized as a true gentleman’s vessel among tea lovers and collectors.
Among the countless varieties of Zisha clay, Red Skin Dragon is one that often confuses enthusiasts, as many cannot distinguish whether it belongs to purple clay or red clay. In fact, Red Skin Dragon is not red clay, but a type of pure purple clay, which falls under the broader category of purple clay. In other words, Red Skin Dragon is essentially purple clay, not red clay. It is also one of the finest raw materials for refining pure purple clay. Its raw ore appears slightly purplish-brown, with a massive silty mudstone structure, relatively high quartz content, uniform particle size, and excellent plasticity. Fired at temperatures between 1170°C and 1190°C, its finished color gradually shifts from reddish-brown to dark red and purplish-red, rich, layered, and subtly attractive — red without being garish, simple without being plain.
The soul of the Dezhong teapot originates from Shao Daheng, a master of Zisha during the Jia-Dao period of the Qing Dynasty. Solitary by nature, he elevated Zisha art to unparalleled heights with his extraordinary craftsmanship. The Dezhong teapot he created embodies the ultimate in simplicity yet holds infinite grace. Its body resembles an inverted bucket, with lines as upright as a gentleman’s spine; the straight spout, loop handle, and inlaid lid are free of any excess decoration, yet emanate noble integrity and grand bearing from within their minimalism. Recognized as the originator and pinnacle of the Dezhong style, it remains the orthodox model for all Dezhong teapots created by later generations. Shao Daheng’s Dezhong features a full, majestic body with concise, firm, and upright lines. Its level shoulders, straight neck, push-on lid, straight spout, and upright ear-shaped loop handle achieve perfect proportional harmony, exuding the unyielding dignity and solemn bearing known as the "Daheng Spirit." Refined in clay and exquisite in craftsmanship, it stands as one of the pinnacles of the plain, unadorned Zisha style.
This top-grade Huanglongshan Red Skin Dragon Dezhong Zisha teapot, newly launched at Tongxin She Teahouse, is handcrafted by the artisan Wu Yingjie, faithfully following ancient traditions. Simple and elegant, without excessive ornamentation, it is made with a spirit of humility and restraint. The curve of the body may seem unchanging, yet subtle contours and transitions reveal masterful control and profound skill. Sourced from Huanglong Mountain in Yixing, this teapot is fired at approximately 1160–1200°C and has a capacity of 140cc — a modest, comfortable size ideal for personal or shared tea sessions. It suits an extremely wide range of teas: most excellent for raw Pu’er, and equally capable with ripe Pu’er, oolong, black tea, and other varieties, stabilizing aromas and enhancing richness, resulting in warm, full-bodied liquor.
Although Red Skin Dragon is a superb clay, it is notoriously difficult to shape. Due to its loose texture, the clay cracks easily during making, requiring seamless execution under ideal conditions of weather, temperature, and tools — a challenge only artisans with solid foundation and superior technique can master. Furthermore, Red Skin Dragon has a high shrinkage rate, similar to red clay, making large pieces particularly hard to produce. During firing, it is prone to sand popping, warping, and kiln cracking, resulting in an extremely low yield. For this reason, a well-preserved, high-quality Red Skin Dragon piece is especially rare and precious.
Once finished, the teapot exudes gentle elegance and great affinity. It is user-friendly for brewing and, with minimal care, gradually develops a ruddy, simple, ancient, and dignified patina, growing more beautiful with use. It is a superb treasure that combines practical function and artistic appreciation for the tea table.
With the precious raw ore of Huanglongshan and the classic form inherited from Shao Daheng, Tongxin She Teahouse is honored to present this top-grade Red Skin Dragon Dezhong Zisha teapot. May this elegant vessel accompany you as you steep tea, appreciate the wonders of clay and fire, experience the calm integrity of a noble character, and quietly savor the beauty of the tea ceremony.