Yixing

[Mark-S]

@Youzi

That's a very beautiful pot and thanks for the further information on the iron content in clay.

[Hmm]

Hmm You might be thinking of Xuanxue? There's been lots of attempts to unify, or at least find complimentary aspects, of different philosophies throughout history, some more successful than others. I don't know much about the details here so I'll listen to the natives,e.g. Youzi

I'm just a Ruist.

Hmm Sure later, the three main ideologies somehow merged and lived in Harmony, making the foundation for Chinese Culture, but at the beginning in Confucius and Lao Zi's time (They lived during the same time), they and their groups were quite against each other.
The Ruists seek to change the world through benevolent actions and meritocracy, while the Daoist were mainly on the side of let things go their way, what happens gonna happen.

But, I'm not a Daoist, so I'm not sure exactly of that side of the question.

And I don't want to steer the topic away. So my analogy was to:
The Ruist takes care of the their teapot, cleaning it, to keep it in a good state, while the Daoist just lets it get dirty, cuz it's gonna get dirty anyway, and that's just the way it is, don't try to go agains the way.

I don't want to go too off-topic chatting about Chinese philosophy on a yixing thread.

But I'm not sure how against each other Laozi and Confucius were. My understanding is that it was Mohist (兼爱) and Confucians who often fought against each other, but not so much Laozi and Confucians. After all Mencius would state that Mohism was the greatest threat to the Chinese world. What Laozi prescribed as medicine was usually too esoteric to most to understand at least at that time. Most who read some Zhuangzi, would just get confused. Therefore there was really no conflict between the two because the philosophies were generally talking to two different groups of people. That said, Daoism was already being merged with ideas of Legalism and Confucianism by the late Zhou/Warring States period. The Qin state (not dynasty) already was using a mixed philosophy of the three.

Really though I think early on, Daoism was the philosophy of generally the southern states (speaking mostly about e.g. Chu, but perhaps Yue, Wu), during the Zhou, that would have been considered half civilized and not fully "Chinese". Confucianism probably wasn't so different from what was already going on in the "civilized" areas during the Zhou dynasty, especially with their concept of ritual/rites 礼.

I'm not so sure if a ruist really cares about taking care of a teapot unless its part of the ritual. But I agree that a Daoist would probably say that it's in a teapot's nature to get dirty, so just let it get dirty. I suppose a Chan Buddhist would say there was no pot for the dirt to cling to...

[Youzi]

@Hmm
Well, you clean up after you eat and drink, why tea, should be different. Therefore you could say cleaning up after you ate, drank is the rite. So keeping your pots clean is just proper.

The rest I won't comment on, because I don't want to further steer the topic away.

[hopeofdawn]

Yesterday's tea session--modern zhuni pot from mudandleaves paired with Korean pitcher and Petr Novak cup. Very nice combo with honey orchid dan cong, courtesy of Qi Fine Teas (Portland).

[wave_code]

a question for julun style pot owners about egonomics...
I love the overall shape and recently ordered a similar-ish pot with a barrel spot, rounder body and wider opening since I find my beloved fang gu style pots don't actually agree well with lots of broken leaf bits. I love the more classic style with the big flat button though. but, do you find it makes the lid difficult to get on/off? or do you just deal with lots of singed finger tips? I'm a bit worried also about dropping the lid. Some have a slightly higher button than others that look a little easier to handle, but the flatter ones I find I really like the look of. I don't have a big collection though so I can't deal with having an impractical pot around and I generally only drink yeas that need boiling water.

[Bok]

a question for julun style pot owners about egonomics...
I love the overall shape and recently ordered a similar-ish pot with a barrel spot, rounder body and wider opening since I find my beloved fang gu style pots don't actually agree well with lots of broken leaf bits. I love the more classic style with the big flat button though. but, do you find it makes the lid difficult to get on/off? or do you just deal with lots of singed finger tips? I'm a bit worried also about dropping the lid. Some have a slightly higher button than others that look a little easier to handle, but the flatter ones I find I really like the look of. I don't have a big collection though so I can't deal with having an impractical pot around and I generally only drink yeas that need boiling water.

It depends a bit on the particular model, but in general you lift a Julunzhu (geometric simple style I presume, not the classic one with normal lid knob, by using two fingers on the side edges of the lid. That way you won’t burn yourself and it’s safe to lift.

The modern JLZ lids have rounded edges though, so it it’s still hotter than the sharp edge antiques (although rounded ones exist as well).

[Bok]

But it’s true JLZ is not the most easy to handle, needs a tiny bit of getting used to

[wave_code]

well as much as I love the look, maybe not the best pot for shu then

it is good to know though that the thickness/form of the edges of the lid then are actually more important than the top button for ease of use.

[Youzi]

well as much as I love the look, maybe not the best pot for shu then

it is good to know though that the thickness/form of the edges of the lid then are actually more important than the top button for ease of use.

JLZ is the best Shape for Dry, clean brewing.
I Have M&L's TQN JLZ. It's really easy to not overfill, even with a strong pour. You fill 90% and Just grab the lid on the edges. never burn your fingers that way, and really easy to take the lid on off, incredible fast pour etc.

So, if you dry brew, it's the best, if you wet brew, then it's the worst. Just don't shower it with water or let it spill over.

[Bok]

@Youzi @wave_code it’s not that easy to say... non overflow only goes for new Julunzhu, the antique ones never ever have a tight fitting lid. Never.

As the shape is almost round, it is good for any kind of tea. What is more important is the clay. Slow pour is not as easily possible without making a mess.

What wet or dry brewing has to do with anything I fail to understand. It’s of little consequence for the tea itself just a matter of personal preference and aptitude in brewing. Any teapot can be brewed dry if one has enough practice.

Duanni Julunzhu is a big favourite among Shu drinkers in Asia.

[Youzi]

What wet or dry brewing has to do with anything I fail to understand. It’s of little consequence for the tea itself just a matter of personal preference and aptitude in brewing. Any teapot can be brewed dry if one has enough practice.

The Question was about ergonomics of JLZ and how to burn or not burn your fingers. Any pot can dry or wet brew, but some are easier some are harder. JLZ is just much more easier to not make a mess with, with a fast pour.

JLZ is just much better for dry brew, 90% filling, than fill completely, overflow etc.
Also, because of the hight of the spout, the leaves also act as an extra filter for the smaller broken leaves at the bottom.

Ofc. there are many kinds of JLZ, but one can imagine the outcome when sees a certain design.

[Bok]

The Question was about ergonomics of JLZ and how to burn or not burn your fingers. Any pot can dry or wet brew, but some are easier some are harder. JLZ is just much more easier to not make a mess with, with a fast pour.

JLZ is just much better for dry brew, 90% filling, than fill completely, overflow etc.
Also, because of the hight of the spout, the leaves also act as an extra filter for the smaller broken leaves at the bottom.

Ofc. there are many kinds of JLZ, but one can imagine the outcome when sees a certain design.

I got some very messy JLZ... it all depends on the individual design and workmanship, not the type of pot per se. Fast pour yes, but all of mine are messy, if not handled appropriately. Any shuiping is a much more forgiving to handle.

[Youzi]

The Question was about ergonomics of JLZ and how to burn or not burn your fingers. Any pot can dry or wet brew, but some are easier some are harder. JLZ is just much more easier to not make a mess with, with a fast pour.

JLZ is just much better for dry brew, 90% filling, than fill completely, overflow etc.
Also, because of the hight of the spout, the leaves also act as an extra filter for the smaller broken leaves at the bottom.

Ofc. there are many kinds of JLZ, but one can imagine the outcome when sees a certain design.

I got some very messy JLZ... it all depends on the individual design and workmanship, not the type of pot per se. Fast pour yes, but all of mine are messy, if not handled appropriately. Any shuiping is a much more forgiving to handle.

Ofc the design has to be executed well. Poorly made pots are poorly made.

But we should start from the assumption that something is decently made.

[Admar]

So I just got this teapot in. Got it from a local auction where it was listed as 1st part of the 20th century. I have no idea if it is, maybe someone here can verify. Even if it is not, I do like it!
Someone tried cleaning the inside with a cloth. Lots of fuzz inside.

Oh and sorry for the blue light. Appartment's lighting situation this time of day is wierd.

[Admar]

And here is one picture in the sun