建盏建盞
Term · Teaware
Jian bowl
Literal meaning
Jian bowl
Definition#
A black-glazed stoneware tea bowl from the Jian kilns at Shuiji, Jianyang (northern Fujian), made of iron-rich local clay from the late Five Dynasties or early Northern Song and at its height in the Song, when whisked tea was judged by its white froth against the dark glaze. Glaze effects include hare's fur (兔毫), oil spot (油滴), partridge (鹧鸪斑) and the rare yaobian (曜变). The firing craft became national intangible heritage in 2011.
Translation and usage#
| Language | Use | Alternatives & cautions |
|---|---|---|
| English | Jian bowl Song black-glazed tea bowl from Jianyang pinyin with a gloss |
Also acceptable
|
| Deutsch | Jian-Teeschale schwarz glasierte Teeschale aus Jianyang pinyin with a gloss |
Also acceptable
|
| Русский | чаша цзянь чёрная чайная чаша из печей Цзянь pinyin with a gloss |
Also acceptable
|
| 简体字 | 建盏 | |
| 繁體字 | 建盞 | |
| 日本語 | 建盞 |
Tea history through one object#
The Met dates this Fujian Jian-ware bowl to the 11th–12th century. Its curators connect bowls of this kind with serving whisked tea. The dark hare’s-fur glaze gives a material point of reference for that drinking practice.
Common confusions#
- Western and Japanese usage (tenmoku, "Jian ware") often covers Song black wares from other kilns; the MAK in Vienna catalogues a Jiangxi (Ji'an) bowl as "Jian-Ware (Temmoku)".