Jian Zhan represents the intricate art of fusing earth and fire, embodying the phrase “one cup, one world.” The glaze on Jian Zhan is transformed at high temperatures, around 1300 degrees Celsius, creating unique and natural patterns known as “kiln changes.” The crystalline glaze and its vivid kiln change patterns are what make Jian Zhan so captivating. Today, let’s explore the six classic glaze patterns of Jian Zhan: Black Glaze, Hare’s Fur Glaze, Oil Spot Glaze, Partridge Feather Glaze, Yaobian Glaze, and Vaious Color Glaze.
1. Black Glaze
Black Glaze, also known as pure black glaze, is a classic Jian Zhan glaze without any patterns. Some appear jet black, while others have a slight bluish tint, also referred to as “dark blue glaze” or “black gold glaze.”
The term “dark blue” was recorded in Cai Xiang’s “Tea Record”: “When the tea color is white, best suited with black cups. Those made in Jian’an are dark blue, with rabbit hair-like patterns.”
Early black-glazed Jian Zhan, also known as sauce black glaze, had different glaze formulas from the mature black glaze and were typically thinner and less vibrant.
2. Hare’s Fur Glaze
Hare’s Fur Glaze is the most typical and widely produced glaze in Jian Zhan. Its pattern appears as fine, radial streaks against a black or brown background, resembling the fine, soft hairs of a rabbit, hence the name.
In the Song Dynasty, many poems praised Hare’s Fur cups. Emperor Huizong of Song mentioned, “The cup color is prized for its blue-black, with jade-like streaks being the best,” referring to Hare’s Fur cups. These cups were highly esteemed and often depicted in tea-related literature.
Hare’s Fur patterns vary in length, thickness, and curvature. The colors range from gold, silver, and brown, further categorized into Gold Hare’s Fur, Silver Hare’s Fur, and Blue Hare’s Fur. The different colors result from variations in crystalline structure and composition.
3. Oil Spot Glaze
Oil Spot glaze is a prized glaze from the Song Dynasty. The term “Oil Spot” to describe Jian Zhan patterns originates from Japan, with the earliest records dating back to the Japanese Muromachi period (1394-1427). It is challenging to produce and second only to Yaobian glaze in Japan.
Oil Spot Glaze features numerous gold or silver metallic spots scattered over a black background, hence the name. These spots vary in size and shape, resembling boiling oil droplets.
4. Partridge Feather Glaze
Partridge Feather Glaze is a rare and treasured glaze in Jian Zhan, favored by scholars in the Song Dynasty and often mentioned in poetry. Its name comes from the partridge bird, known for its distinctive feather patterns.
Partridge Feather Glaze features patterns resembling the elliptical spots on a partridge’s chest feathers. The glaze is complex to produce and has a low success rate, making surviving pieces extremely rare.
5. Yaobian Glaze
Like “Oil Spot,” the term “Yaobian” also comes from Japan. There are three complete Song Dynasty Yaobian pieces in Japan, with the most famous being the Yaobian cup at Seikado Bunko Art Museum, known as the “Universe in a Cup.”
Yaobian Glaze develops from the highest level of transformation in the kiln, combining the techniques of Hare’s Fur and Oil Spot glazes. The glaze features round or near-round spots that cluster together, creating a cosmic nebula effect. Under light, Yaobian glazes display blue, purple-red, and golden hues, producing a stunningly brilliant effect.
6. Various Color Glaze
Various Color Glaze is not intentionally crafted by artisans but rather an unexpected result of the firing process. Any glaze that doesn’t fit into the categories of Black, Hare’s Fur, Oil Spot, Partridge Feather, or Yaobian is classified as Various Color Glaze.
Various Color Glazes include a wide range of colors and patterns, such as persimmon red, tea dust, rust spots, crackle glaze, gray glaze, and more. Despite being unintentional, some pieces are exceptionally beautiful and unique.
Conclusion
The art of Jian Zhan lies in its diverse and beautiful glaze patterns, each with its own history and charm. Whether it’s the classic Black Glaze, the elegant Hare’s Fur, the dazzling Oil Spot, the rare Partridge Feather, the cosmic Yaobian, or the unexpected Various Color Glaze, each Jian Zhan piece is a testament to the skill and creativity of its maker.