Yujian 煜堅
“To the north, the Yixing Zisha teapot reigns;
To the south, the Chaozhou Zhuni teapot shines.”
About Yujian
Cai Yujian, a talented artisan from Chaozhou (also known as Teochew), has devoted his life to the traditional craft of hand-thrown teapots. As a member of the Guangdong Provincial Zisha Zhu Ni Teapot Professional Committee, Yujian’s journey into this intricate art form reflects a deep connection to his heritage and an unwavering commitment to mastery.
Yujian’s story began in 2014, when he became an apprentice under the esteemed Chinese Arts and Crafts Master, Xie Hua, in a workshop dedicated to crafting Zhu Ni (red clay) teapots. Later, he sought to refine his skills further by studying under Lai Tongfa, a renowned ceramics master from Chaozhou. These formative years, filled with rigorous practice and meticulous attention to detail, laid a solid foundation for his craft. Through years of dedication and experimentation, Yujian honed his techniques, creating teapots that have earned numerous awards in exhibitions and competitions.
For Yujian, his craft is deeply intertwined with the culture of his hometown, Chaozhou—a place celebrated as the birthplace of Gongfu tea. Growing up in an environment where the phrase “come have tea” was a daily refrain, Yujian’s childhood was steeped in the art of tea culture and the tactile joy of working with clay. In Chaozhou, the sight of friends and neighbours gathering to share tea is a quintessential aspect of daily life. These moments left a profound impression on Yujian, sparking his passion for crafting the perfect companion to Gongfu tea—the hand-thrown teapot.
The hand-thrown teapot, with a history dating back to the mid-Qing Dynasty, holds a special place in Chaozhou’s tea culture. Its intricate production process—encompassing over sixty meticulous steps, including wheel-throwing, trimming, and firing—requires both technical precision and artistic intuition. For Yujian, the process begins with the selection of clay, a critical step that influences the teapot’s texture, colour, and functionality. He favours Chaozhou’s locally sourced red clay, a rare material extracted from clay mines buried over ten metres deep. Renowned for its delicate texture, low sand content, and high crystallinity, this clay produces teapots with remarkable durability, breathability, and the ability to enhance the tea’s aroma without altering its original flavour.
Over the past decade, Yujian has mastered the transformative process of turning Chaozhou’s red clay into exquisite teapots that not only honour tradition but also push its boundaries.
Explore the New Yujian Collection
The Chaozhou Gongfu Tea Tradition and Zhu Ni Teapots
The Gongfu tea tradition, known as Chaozhou Gongfu Tea or Chaoshan Gongfu Tea, is a cultural treasure from the Chaoshan region of Guangdong Province. Revered as the pinnacle of Chinese tea culture, it is often referred to as the “Chinese Tea Ceremony” due to its refined techniques and rich heritage. While Chinese tea culture flourished during the Tang Dynasty, Chaozhou Gongfu Tea rose to prominence during the Song Dynasty and boasts a history spanning over a thousand years. Recognised as the origin of noble tea rituals, it has influenced Japanese Sencha-do and the tea traditions of Taiwan. As a holistic practice, Chaozhou Gongfu Tea seamlessly blends spirit, etiquette, brewing techniques, tea appreciation, and the art of savouring, making it the heart of Chinese tea artistry.
At the core of this tea tradition lies the teapot, an indispensable element of the Gongfu tea experience. Just as Yixing Zisha (purple clay) teapots are celebrated in northern China, the Chaozhou hand-thrown teapot, also known as the Chaozhou Zhu Ni Teapot, plays a vital role in southern tea culture. Originating in Chaozhou’s Fengxi district, this craft has been passed down for more than a thousand years. What distinguishes the Chaozhou Zhu Ni Teapot from its Yixing counterpart is its emphasis on the “hand-thrown” process. Artisans skilfully shape the clay by hand on a manually operated wheel, a technique requiring exceptional craftsmanship. This process requires precise pressure, along with pinching and pulling motions, producing teapots that embody a dynamic, organic charm that reflects the artisan’s personal touch.
The Chaozhou Zhu Ni Teapot is crafted from the region’s unique red clay, known locally as zhu ni. This natural material, a type of purple clay (Zisha), is sourced from deep underground deposits formed by river sediments. Rich in iron oxide, the clay undergoes a dramatic transformation during the firing process, changing from yellowish-brown to a striking vermilion hue. Its fine texture, low sand content, and crystalline structure give the teapot its exceptional qualities: a dense, smooth, and highly porous body. These properties allow the teapot to retain heat, preserve the tea’s fragrance, and maintain its original flavour. Moreover, the Zhu Ni teapot is remarkably resilient, capable of withstanding sudden changes in temperature.
Blending centuries-old techniques with the exceptional qualities of Chaozhou red clay, the craft of the Chaozhou hand-thrown teapot stands as a testament to the artistry and ingenuity of Chinese tea culture. Far more than simple vessels, these teapots are essential companions in the Gongfu tea tradition, elevating the brewing and savouring of tea into a refined art form.
If you’re interested in experiencing the Chaozhou Gongfu Tea Ceremony, we invite you to reach out to us via email or Instagram message—or visit us in person—for a Yushu Tea Tasting experience. Let us guide you through this timeless tradition.
