By Christopher Chau | Tea Ware Specialist & Tea Master
What is Jianzhan? Is it the Same as Tenmoku?
Jianzhan (建盏) is the finest form of Tenmoku (天目) tea bowls, originating from the Jian Kiln in Fujian, China. It was the imperial tea ware of the Song Dynasty and remains a highly prized ceramic art. While all Jianzhan are Tenmoku, not all Tenmoku are Jianzhan. The term “Tenmoku” was adopted by Japan for black-glazed tea bowls, including those from China, Korea, and Japan.
The world’s three most valuable Tenmoku bowls—recognised as Japanese National Treasures—are all Jianzhan masterpieces from the Song Dynasty, housed in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka.
Why Should You Buy a Jianzhan?
A true Jianzhan is more than just a tea bowl—it enhances tea flavour, offers health benefits, and holds artistic and collectible value.
1. Enhances Tea Flavour
Jianzhan’s high iron content interacts with water, improving its alkalinity, which:
✔ Softens and sweetens tea, especially dark teas like Pu-erh (熟普洱), Liu Bao (六堡茶), and Hei Cha (黑茶).
✔ Boosts tea aroma and complexity.
✔ Keeps tea warmer for longer, perfect for slow appreciation.
Many tea lovers claim that even water, coffee, and wine taste better when served in a Jianzhan.
2. Health Benefits
The natural iron glaze releases Fe²⁺ ions, which:
✔ Aid in iron absorption, preventing anaemia.
✔ Reduce chlorine in water, making it purer.
✔ Offer antibacterial properties, inhibiting bacterial growth.
Jianzhan is high-temperature fired at 1,300°C, making it safe and non-toxic, with no artificial glazes or harmful heavy metals.
How to Choose a Jianzhan?
1. Glaze & Patterns
Each Jianzhan is unique, formed naturally in the kiln. The most coveted glazes include:
- Rabbit’s Fur (兔毫, Tuhao) – Flowing streaks in gold, silver, or blue.
- Oil Drop (油滴, Youdi) – Metallic droplets shimmering on the glaze.
- Black Gold (乌金, Wujin) – Pure black, with a mirror-like effect.
- Transmutation (曜变, Yaobian) – The rarest and most valuable, displaying iridescent halos.
No two pieces are identical, making each bowl a work of art.
2. Shape Matters
Jianzhan comes in four main shapes, each affecting heat retention and tea presentation:
| Shape | Description |
|---|---|
| Constricted Mouth (束口, Shu Kou) | The classic Song Dynasty tea competition shape. Retains heat best. |
| Flared Mouth (撇口, Pie Kou) | Enhances aroma appreciation. |
| Slightly Constricted (敛口, Lian Kou) | Well-balanced, great for everyday use. |
| Open Mouth (敞口, Chang Kou) | Quick cooling, also called Bamboo Hat Bowl. |
How is Jianzhan Priced? Will I Get Scammed?
Many beginners worry about overpaying or buying fake Jianzhan. Here’s what determines its price:
1. Artist’s Reputation & Skill
Master artisans are ranked by expertise:
| Artist Level | Impact on Price |
|---|---|
| Grandmaster (大师) | Highest investment value, museum-grade. |
| Senior Artisan (高级技师) | Expensive but refined, for serious collectors. |
| Intermediate Artisan (技师) | Affordable yet artistic, great for enthusiasts. |
| Emerging Artist (新秀) | Budget-friendly, good for beginners. |
While renowned masters command higher prices, quality ultimately depends on the individual piece, not just the artist’s title.
2. Quality Grading – Not Every Jianzhan Makes It!
Jianzhan is “smashed” before selling—only the best survive!
Each batch undergoes strict selection:
✔ Inferior pieces are discarded (smashed).
✔ Standard-grade bowls are used for daily drinking.
✔ Premium-grade bowls are rarer and command higher prices.
At PUER.COM.SG, we only sell premium-grade Jianzhan.
3. Pricing Factors
✔ Larger bowls cost more due to higher firing difficulty.
✔ Rarity and pattern complexity influence value.
✔ Flawless glazes and intricate patterns fetch premium prices.
Avoid suspiciously cheap Jianzhan—real ones require mastery, time, and high firing costs.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Have for Tea Lovers
Jianzhan isn’t just a tea bowl—it’s a taste enhancer, a health booster, and a collector’s treasure. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or an art lover, a genuine Jianzhan will transform your tea experience.
Discover premium, authentic Jianzhan at PUER.COM.SG and elevate your tea ritual today! 🍵
Tenmoku Cha-wan 建盏
A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing a Tenmoku (Jianzhan) Tea Bowl
By Christopher Chau | Tea Ware Specialist & Tea Master
What is Jianzhan? Is it the Same as Tenmoku?
Jianzhan (建盏) is the finest form of Tenmoku (天目) tea bowls, originating from the Jian Kiln in Fujian, China. It was the imperial tea ware of the Song Dynasty and remains a highly prized ceramic art. While all Jianzhan are Tenmoku, not all Tenmoku are Jianzhan. The term “Tenmoku” was adopted by Japan for black-glazed tea bowls, including those from China, Korea, and Japan.
The world’s three most valuable Tenmoku bowls—recognised as Japanese National Treasures—are all Jianzhan masterpieces from the Song Dynasty, housed in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka.
Why Should We Buy a Jianzhan?
A true Jianzhan is more than just a tea bowl—it enhances tea flavour, offers health benefits, and holds artistic and collectible value.
1. Enhances Tea Flavour
Jianzhan’s high iron content interacts with water, improving its alkalinity, which:
✔ Softens and sweetens tea, especially dark teas like Pu-erh (熟普洱), Liu Bao (六堡茶), and HuNan AnHua Hei Cha (安化黑茶).
✔ Boosts tea aroma and complexity.
✔ Keeps tea warmer for longer, perfect for slow appreciation.
Many tea lovers claim that even water, coffee, and wine taste better when served in a Jianzhan.
2. Health Benefits
The natural iron glaze releases Fe²⁺ ions, which:
✔ Aid in iron absorption, preventing anaemia.
✔ Reduce chlorine in water, making it purer.
✔ Offer antibacterial properties, inhibiting bacterial growth.
Jianzhan is high-temperature fired at 1,300°C, making it safe and non-toxic, with no artificial glazes or harmful heavy metals.
How to Choose a Jianzhan?
1. Glaze & Patterns
Each Jianzhan is unique, formed naturally in the kiln. The most coveted glazes include:
- Rabbit’s Fur (兔毫, Tuhao) – Flowing streaks in gold, silver, or blue.
- Oil Drop (油滴, Youdi) – Metallic droplets shimmering on the glaze.
- Black Gold (乌金, Wujin) – Pure black, with a mirror-like effect.
- Transmutation (曜变, Yaobian) – The rarest and most valuable, displaying iridescent halos.
No two pieces are identical, making each bowl a work of art.
2. Shape Matters
Jianzhan comes in four main shapes, each affecting heat retention and tea presentation:
| Shape | Description |
|---|---|
| Constricted Mouth (束口, Shu Kou) | The classic Song Dynasty tea competition shape. Retains heat best. |
| Flared Mouth (撇口, Pie Kou) | Enhances aroma appreciation. |
| Slightly Constricted (敛口, Lian Kou) | Well-balanced, great for everyday use. |
| Open Mouth (敞口, Chang Kou) | Quick cooling, also called Bamboo Hat Bowl. |
How is Jianzhan Priced? Will I Get Scammed?
Many beginners worry about overpaying or buying fake Jianzhan. Here’s what determines its price:
1. Artist’s Reputation & Skill
Master artisans are ranked by expertise:
| Artist Level | Impact on Price |
|---|---|
| Grandmaster (大师) | Highest investment value, museum-grade. |
| Senior Artisan (高级技师) | Expensive but refined, for serious collectors. |
| Intermediate Artisan (技师) | Affordable yet artistic, great for enthusiasts. |
| Emerging Artist (新秀) | Budget-friendly, good for beginners. |
While renowned masters command higher prices, quality ultimately depends on the individual piece, not just the artist’s title.
2. Quality Grading – Not Every Jianzhan Makes It!
Jianzhan is “smashed” before selling—only the best survive!
Each batch undergoes strict selection:
✔ Inferior pieces are discarded (smashed).
✔ Standard-grade bowls are used for daily drinking.
✔ Premium-grade bowls are rarer and command higher prices.
At PUER.COM.SG, we only sell premium-grade Jianzhan.
3. Pricing Factors
✔ Larger bowls cost more due to higher firing difficulty.
✔ Rarity and pattern complexity influence value.
✔ Flawless glazes and intricate patterns fetch premium prices.
Avoid suspiciously cheap Jianzhan—real ones require mastery, time, and high firing costs.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Have for Tea Lovers
Jianzhan isn’t just a tea bowl—it’s a taste enhancer, a health booster, and a collector’s treasure. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or an art lover, a genuine Jianzhan will transform your tea experience.
Discover premium, authentic Jianzhan at PUER.COM.SG and elevate your tea ritual today! 🍵
什么是建盏？它和天目盏一样吗？
建盏（Jianzhan）是天目（Tenmoku）茶碗的最高级别，起源于中国福建的建窑。它曾是宋代皇室御用茶器，至今仍被誉为最珍贵的陶瓷艺术之一。
所有建盏都属于天目盏，但不是所有天目盏都是建盏。 “天目”是日本对黑釉茶碗的统称，包括来自中国、韩国和日本的作品。而世界上最珍贵的三件天目盏——被日本列为“国宝”——均为宋代的建盏，分别收藏于京都、东京和大阪的博物馆。
为什么你应该买一只建盏？
真正的建盏不仅仅是茶碗，它能提升茶汤风味、具有健康功效，并且兼具艺术和收藏价值。
1. 增强茶汤口感
建盏的高铁含量会与水发生微妙反应，使茶汤更具层次感：
✔ 软化茶水口感，使其更加甘甜顺滑，特别适用于熟普洱、六堡茶和黑茶。
✔ 提升茶香，让茶汤更浓郁、更加耐泡。
✔ 长效保温，让茶汤在适宜温度下保持更长时间。
许多茶友甚至发现白开水、咖啡、红酒及清酒 用建盏饮用后，口感都更为细腻醇厚。
2. 健康功效
建盏的天然铁釉会释放二价铁离子（Fe²⁺），带来诸多健康益处：
✔ 促进铁吸收，预防贫血，提高血红蛋白水平。
✔ 减少水中氯离子，让饮用水更加纯净。
✔ 抗菌功能，抑制细菌生长，保护口腔健康。
建盏高温烧制（1300°C），不含重金属或人工化学釉料，是完全安全的健康茶具。
如何挑选一只好建盏？
1. 釉色 & 斑纹
建盏的釉色和斑纹在窑炉高温变化中自然形成，每一只都是独一无二的。最受欢迎的釉色包括：
- 兔毫（Rabbit’s Fur） – 细腻流动的丝状纹路，常见金、银、蓝色。
- 油滴（Oil Drop） – 斑点圆润，金属光泽强烈。
- 乌金（Black Gold） – 纯黑镜面釉，极具质感。
- 曜变（Transmutation） – 最罕见、最珍贵，呈现神秘的彩色光晕。
真正的建盏“入窑一色，出窑万彩”，每一只都是天工造化之作！
2. 盏型 & 功能
建盏以漏斗状造型著称，利于保温与观赏茶汤，主要有四种盏型：
| 盏型 | 特点 |
|---|---|
| 束口盏（Constricted Mouth） | 经典宋代斗茶盏，锁温性能最佳。 |
| 撇口盏（Flared Mouth） | 口沿外展，有助于激发茶香。 |
| 敛口盏（Slightly Constricted） | 造型圆润，适合日常泡茶。 |
| 敞口盏（Open Mouth (敞口） | 散热快，也称“斗笠盏”。 |
建盏价格是如何决定的？我会不会被坑？
很多新手担心买贵了、买错了，甚至买到假货，以下是建盏定价的关键因素：
1. 工艺师的名气 & 级别
建盏大师的职称确实影响价格，但最关键的仍是作品本身的品质。
| 工艺师等级 | 价格影响 |
|---|---|
| 国家级大师（Grandmaster, 国大师） | 收藏级，极具升值潜力。 |
| 高级技师（Senior Artisan, 高级技师） | 高端市场，适合资深藏家。 |
| 普通技师（Intermediate Artisan, 技师） | 兼具实用与艺术，适合茶友。 |
| 新兴工艺师（Emerging Artisan, 新秀） | 性价比高，适合入门。 |
名师之作确实价格昂贵，但最终决定价值的，是作品本身的釉色和烧制质量。
2. 好的建盏都是“砸”出来的！
真正的建盏，在出窑后会经过严格筛选，不合格的都会被直接砸毁！
✔ 次品直接淘汰（釉裂、变形、缺陷）。
✔ 普通品（适合日常泡茶，品质一般）。
✔ 精品（斑纹均匀、釉色通透、无明显瑕疵，收藏级）。
在PUER.COM.SG，我们只出售严格筛选的精品建盏，确保每一只盏都物有所值！
3. 影响价格的其他因素
✔ 尺寸越大，烧制难度越高，价格越贵。
✔ 稀有斑纹（曜变、油滴）价格更高。
✔ 釉色越均匀、质感越好，价值越高。
千万别贪小便宜！真正的建盏工艺复杂，价格过低往往是假货或低品质产品。
总结：建盏是茶友必备的茶器
建盏不仅是茶碗，更是提升口感、养生保健的神器！
✔ 增强茶汤风味，特别适合黑茶、普洱等。
✔ 天然铁釉，健康安全，助力人体吸收铁元素。
✔ 千年传承，宋代皇家御用器，兼具收藏价值。
如果你是真正的茶爱好者，一只优质建盏绝对能让你的品茶体验更上一层楼！
立即探索 PUER.COM.SG 的精品建盏系列，让你的茶更香、更甘、更顺滑！🍵