chafyiTeaware
English

Shape Koreasources cited

Korean teacup

chatjan ch'atchan M–R

Also written 잔 (盃) · 탁잔 (托盞, cup with stand)

A Korean cup for drinking tea. Cups vary in profile and material, and may be used with a saucer or stand depending on the setting.

On this page
Tea cup, side view
Tea cup, side view
  1. 1Body
  2. 2Base
Side view of a white porcelain tea cup with a rounded body and a low foot-ring.Approximate size

Form#

Body
1cup (잔 盃), small rounded bowl (주발 碗), or shallow dish (종지 鍾) form; white porcelain (백자) is prized for showing the green-yellow hue of steeped Korean tea
Base
2low ring foot (굽) resting on a saucer (찻잔 받침, 차탁 茶托) or a raised lotus-pedestal cup stand (잔탁 盞托)
Handle
none

12 Numbers mark the parts described under Form.

Compare an object photograph · 국립중앙박물관 · 덕수1528

In use#

Cup size and the number of cups vary with the setting. Choose a set for the amount brewed and the number of drinkers; historical cup stands do not establish a standard modern cup capacity or set size.

Working volume#

Choose working volume for the intended fill level and number of drinkers. Measure the individual vessel; a shape name or exterior dimensions do not establish usable capacity. Allow room for leaves and ensure the receiving cups or pitcher can hold the infusion.

Cup size and the number of cups vary with the setting. Choose a set for the amount brewed and the number of drinkers; historical cup stands do not establish a standard modern cup capacity or set size.

Variants and sub-types#

Name한국어DifferenceSources
Takjan (Cup and Stand Ensemble)탁잔 (托盞)Ceremonial Goryeo celadon and Joseon royal court format pairing a lobed or rounded cup with a raised-platform lotus pedestal saucer, excavated from King Injong's Jangneung tomb (1146) and documented in the Seonwonjeon royal rites.12346
Jubal-hyeong & Jongji-hyeong (Bowl & Saucer Cups)주발형·종지형 찻잔Rounded bowl-like cups and shallow, flared cups differ in depth and rim profile.15

History#

  1. GoryeoCup-and-stands (탁잔) were tea cups for offering tea to the king or officials, with a separate stand; one comes from King Injong's tomb (1146).3
  2. Goryeo, 12th–13th centuryThe Cleveland Museum of Art holds a floral celadon cup stand (13.9 cm across, 5.6 cm high) and ties such pieces to elite tea drinking, which it dates in Korea to as early as the 7th century.2
  3. late Joseon to Korean EmpireAbout 50 vessels, mostly cups, were kept for the tea rites at the royal portrait hall (선원전).4

Attributions are shown as the source states them.

Related#

Mentioned in

Goryeo celadonJoseon white porcelain

Sources#

  1. 차 (茶), 김상현Academy of Korean Studies (Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 한국민족문화대백과사전) · Encyclopedias · Accessed 2026-11-02 ↗
  2. Floral-shaped Cup Stand 청자 꽃모양 잔탁 (1918.430)Cleveland Museum of Art · Museum objects · Accessed 2026-11-02 ↗
  3. 차 문화의 산물, 고려청자 다완 (김지원), in 한국문화사 10 『자연과 정성의 산물, 우리 음식』National Institute of Korean History (우리역사넷) · Academic · Accessed 2026-11-02 ↗
  4. 조선후기･대한제국기 선원전 다례(茶禮)와 다기(茶器), 구혜인, 한국학 43(2) (2020)Academy of Korean Studies (Korean Studies Quarterly) · Academic · Accessed 2026-11-02 ↗
  5. 다례Wikipedia (Korean) · Reference works · Accessed 2026-11-02 ↗
  6. 청자 잔과 잔받침 (靑磁托盞)National Museum of Korea · Museums · Accessed 2026-11-02 ↗
Status and editorial notes sources cited

Sources are listed below. Their presence does not certify every claim; source-specific interpretations and unresolved questions are identified in the text. This page has not received independent expert approval.

2026-11-05: revised after the homepage evidence audit. Historical attributions, model dimensions and practical guidance are distinguished; unresolved claims remain qualified. Earlier editorial conclusions are superseded by the current text.