Julunzhu
Traditional 巨輪珠壺
Start with the short, straight spout projecting from a compact body. Then notice the separate lid sitting above the mouth. These are better starting points for Julunzhu than imagining a perfect ball: documented examples can be rounded, shouldered or more upright.
On this page
- 1Knob
- 2Lid
- 3Spout
- 4Handle
- 5Body
- 6Base
Look, then compare
At card size, follow the short direct spout and the distinct cap of the lid. In the larger view, inspect the shoulder and the step between lid and mouth. 《荊溪朱泥》 nos. 201–203 show three separate unmarked examples. No. 201 has a relatively upright lower wall; no. 202 is lower and rounder. They disprove a strict spherical-body rule while retaining the compact outline and short spout.
No. 201 is recorded as 7.4 cm high and 10.8 cm wide; no. 202 as 6 cm high and 9 cm wide; no. 203 as 6.8 cm high and 10.6 cm wide. These catalogue dimensions belong to the individual pots. The drawing remains approximately scaled and does not supply their capacities.
黃健亮、黃怡嘉《荊溪朱泥》, nos. 201–203, pp. 245–247 / PDF 247–249.
Form#
The form notes describe the illustrated variant. Compare the examples above before treating any one detail as a rule for the whole family.
- Body
- Compact rounded body, with a shoulder and a lower wall whose curvature varies between examples.
- Spout
- short, straight cylindrical or slightly tapered tube ('cannon spout' 炮管嘴) projecting directly from the upper shoulder
- Handle
- sturdy circular ring handle aligned horizontally with the spout
- Lid
- flat or gently domed cap lid seated within or flush against the wide collar
- Knob
- flattened spherical bead knob (扁圆珠钮)
- Base
- ring foot or recessed concave base, often incised or stamped with '孟臣', '水平', or a four-character hall mark
Working volume#
Use the volume to the intended fill level, rather than the exterior dimensions or shape name. Leave room for the leaves and lid, and choose cups or a serving pitcher that can receive a complete infusion. Two pots of the same named form may have very different working capacities.
Variants and sub-types#
A rounded body and straight tubular spout; compare collar height, lid fit and handle thickness between examples.
History#
- Late Qing to early Republic (c. 1870–1930)Produced in Yixing and Chaozhou Fengxi for both the southern Chinese gongfu tea market and export to Japan for Senchadō (煎茶道), where its straight tube spout and spherical body became a benchmark small kyūsu/chohō form.3
Sources#
- 李炳炎、林楠：《潮州茶器（1860—2020）》，暨南大学出版社，2022. ISBN 9787566832412.
Bibliographic correction: the library copy is by Li Bingyan and Lin Nan, Jinan University Press, 2022. The former authors, publisher, year and claim of a complete reading were incorrect. Correcting this record does not verify every inherited claim citing it; those claims require passage-level review.
- 吳德亮《台灣茶器》
- 陈文平《中国茶具对日本茶道陶瓷的影响》(1994)
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.