FoodBanter.com - View Single Post - Ming dynasty author Wen Zhen Heng's book: Chang Wu Zhi (Record of Material Things)

permalink

wrote:
> wrote:
> > Tea Washer
> >
> > A tea washer is made from clay, it resembles a bowel with two
> > layers, the base of its top layer has numerous holes.
> > Used for washing tea, sand and dust all flow out from these holes,
> most
> > convenient.
> >
> > Translated from Wen Zhen Heng: Zhang Wu Zhi ( On Superfluous
Things)
> > (1620 AD ) Ming Dynasty
>
> Tea stove and water kettle
>
> Some of Master Jiang's tea stoves were made from cast bronze, some
> with beast head motif, some plain; other bronze stoves were casted in
> the shape of three legged urn, all are useful.
>
> The best water kettle is made of lead, tin kettle comes second,
> copper one can also be used. The one shaped like a bamboo tube is
> fireproof and easy to pour. Although porcelain kettle does not take
> away the essense of water, yet it is unsuitable, and not elegant
> looking.
>
> Translated from Wen Zhen Heng: Zhang Wu Zhi ( On Superfloous Things),
> chapter 12.

Tea Pot

The best tea pot is made from clay, not only does not take awy
aroma, but also has no ripe water odor.
"Gong Chun"[1] pots are most expensive, however their style is
unrefined, also lack smaller size ones.
The pots made by Shi Dabing[2] are yet too small, only if one can
find an antique looking and clean pot which can
hold half a litre of water, that would be most suitable for pouring
tea. Various pots with tasteless patterns such
as "Ti Liang", "Lying melon", "Twin pear", "Fan cover", "Octogon
with small flowers", "Tin inlaid tea pot", "Blue flower
on white" etc should be avoided.
Zhao Liang Bi[3] tin jar is fine too, but more suitable for the
winter months.
Recently, Wu Zhong[5] county Gu's tin pot and Jia Ho county
Wong's tin pot, fetched highest price, however
rather small and vulgar.
Gold or silver pots are all not in style.

Tranlated from Wen Zhen Heng :Zhang Wu Zhi ( On Superfluous Things)
chapter 12.<P>

[1] Gong Chun, the grandmother of Yixing tea pot during Ming dynasty
Wan Li era (1573-1619).
[2] Shi Dabing, considered the greatest master of Yixing pot, son of
Shi Peng, a comtemporary of Gong Chun.
Initially, Shi Dabing imitated Gong Chun and made large size Yixing
tea pots, later created his own style tiny tea pots
[3] Zhao Liang Bi, Ming dynasty master craftsman of tin jar in Wu
Zhong county ( now in Sozhou province )