Here are the classic styles of
Tenmoku with surviving Song dynasty examples. These are not necessarily all
Jian ware; some are Henan /
Jizhou ware. (Check out this
useful description/classification.) Apparently, some styles, such as "partridge feathers" (Chinese: 雪鷓鴣盞), are only known from writings, so it's not sure which surviving examples (if any) they refer to.
Yohen
Kiln-changed / Yohen / 燿変
There are two more spotted Jian glazes - one is known as Yohen, literally ‘brilliant [kiln] transmutation’ in Japanese, and in Chinese Yaobian. In this glaze effect the spots themselves are dark but have iridescent halos. (Christies lot description)
A type of Tenmoku fired at the Jian kilns in Fujian province during the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) in China. It is considered to be the finest example of Tenmoku, with a glossy jet black glazed tea bowl with silvery flecks like stars surrounded by blue and iridescent light. Only three bowls meet the definition of true Yohen Tenmoku: one in the collection of Seikado Bunko Art Museum (commonly known as Inaba Tenmoku), one in the collection of Fujita Museum, and one in the collection of Ryuko-in, Daitokuji Temple. All three are considered national treasures of Japan. (
kogeistandard)
Photos of the only three surviving:
Yuteki
Oil drop / Yuteki / 油滴
A type of Tenmoku fired at the Jian kilns in Fujian province during the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) in China. Gold and silver flecks like drops of oil appear on the jet-black glaze, with many of them spread over the entire surface of both the interior and exterior of the tea bowl. In addition to the Jian kiln, tea bowls were also fired at the Cizhou kilns in Hebei province during the Song and Yuan dynasties (1271-1367). (
kogeistandard)
Photos:
yuteki1 |
yuteki2 |
yuteki3 (this one fetched 11 million USD!)
Nogime
Hare's fur / Nogime / 禾目 / Chinese: 兔毫盞
A type of Tenmoku fired at the Jian kilns in Fujian Province during the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) in China. Crystals of iron oxide contained in the glaze melted in the kiln and flowed down, forming fine linear patterns. In Japan it is called “Nogi-me” (ears of rice), while in China it is known as “Tu-hao” (rabbit’s hair brush). (
kogeistandard)
Hare's fur is also used to describe some Jizhou ware Tenmoku.
Photos:
haresfur1 |
haresfur2
Taihi
Turtle shell / Taihi / 玳玻 / Chinese: 鼈甲盞
Typical of Jizhou ware.
Photos:
taihi (note the pattern, not the drawing, and notice how it's mainly on the inside)
Henan Tenmoku
Henan Tenmoku / Henan Tenmoku / 河南天目
Photos:
two KNM examples, one white-rimmed (first two bowls, third is Taihi, fourth & fifth are Nogime) |
henan1 |
maybe2
Notes
1) These descriptions are not necessarily exclusive of each other. Modern imitations sometimes combine styles, e.g. pieces named
Yohen taihi by Kaneko Haruhiko or
Yohen yuteki by Kamata Koji.
2) There may be one or more later, arguably still "classic", styles of Tenmoku, developed in Japan. The one I read about is Edo-period Shiro Tenmoku / White Tenmoku (
here's a 3D model of a replica). Not sure why it's supposed to be Tenmoku.
3) This is just my research on a recent interest & unfortunately I don't speak Chinese or Japanese. Stuff might be wrong. Any corrections would be greatly appreciated.