Skip to content
Jianzhan "Rainbow on Red" Hand-Made Stoneware Gaiwan

Jianzhan "Rainbow on Red" Hand-Made Stoneware Gaiwan

by Yunnan Sourcing Tea Shop
$50.50 - $50.50
$50.50
$50.50 - $50.50
$50.50

Our Jianzhan wares crafted by lifetime Jianzhan pottery veteran Wu Hong Hua. Jianzhan wares are from Jianyang town in Fujian Province.  They became popular during the Song Dynasty and were prized throughout China, Korea and Japan.  By the Ming Dynasty Jianzhan wares fell out of favor, but luckily the tradition was continued in Japan for centuries and was eventually re-introduced in it's original birthplace (Jianyang Fujian) in the 1990's. Jianzhan glazes are all basically the same, but due to different firing temperatures and positioning within the kiln the fired glazes are totally unique from eachother and are typically separated into five distinct styles.  

彩金 - rainbow, 兔毫 - rabbit fur, 油滴 - oil spot, 鳖甲盏 - tortoise shell, 雪鹧鸪盏 - partridge feathers

This particular gaiwan is glazed and fired (at 1300C) in the Red Cai Jin 红彩金 Style.  At certain angles and in the right like you can see a rainbow like collection of colors in the glaze (see pictures).  It's dense and heavy in the hand, holds and retains heat wonderfully, and generally elevates the tea brewing experience!

Here's a great video (in Chinese) that discusses the history and process of creating Jianzhan wares.

Due to the very high heat of firing, the knob on the lid of the gaiwan might not be entirely symmetrical!

Matching Cup available for purchase here!

Volume 180ml (+/- 10ml)

Each Gaiwan comes in it's own gift box**

**Gift Box may differ somewhat from that in the picture

Overall rating: 4.625 / 5 from 8 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["lid","feel","gaiwan","bottom"].

Review highlights

Reviews

If really made traditionally great, but is it?

"I was going to give this a scorching review, but. Before doing so I read up a bit on the matter. I bought this Gaiwan 7 months ago with two cups, so that I could share the best of Chinese culture with my loved ones. But after using the Gaiwan I kind of don’t like it. The lid holder did not have a hole in it, like the pictures, it looks like someone forgot to do it and then just did not care to toss the Gaiwan and start over. Not having a hole forces you to assert more pressure when pouring to not drop the lid. The lid also grinds against the body which feels very primitive. However, I read that this Gaiwan is supposed to be done using traditional ways of producing and firing it, and that makes the whole difference. If this is made as done hundreds of years ago, then I can respect the product, even appreciate it as is. I like history. But because of my limited knowledge there is absolutely no difference whatsoever between this and a 2 dollar gaiwan, only according to the word of the seller. To be fair the lid does stay on where it is supposed to and does not fall off. I just can not shake the feeling of being scammed though, this is an expensive Gaiwan because I wanted Chinese quality and craftmanship. It could still be, and I hope so. There is nothing wrong with the cups, I like those, and the packaging of the products were top notch, like really nice. Do not take my review too seriously as I am probably ignorant of what to expect here."

— Jimmy A. (3/5)

This garwan is very nice

"This garwan is very nice in the hand, very thick porcelain, the glaze glows iridescent and really stands out on the the tea tray. Everything about it is just smooth and very feels very nice in the hand. I think anybody would be happy with it."

— Denise B. (5/5)

Perfect!

"Beautiful and lovely to use! It feels substantial, and matches many of my existing pieces - Thank you!"

— Jason S. (5/5)

Lid was a little bit different than expected

"Overall the Gaiwan it's wonderful, however the Lid seems to be different than the one in the photos, first the knob on the lid of the gaiwan is not even curved, my lid came totally straight, and, the photos doesn't advertise that the the bottom of the lid is not glazed! (I know the gaiwan advertises about slight changes on the lid but not as a full straight lid neither the unglazed bottom of the lid!"

— 3D F. (4/5)

Remarkable quality

"Remarkable quality, both with respect to functionality (build and "calibration") and aesthetic craftsmanship."

— Hrafn A. (5/5)

Beautiful

"I actually gasped when I took this out of the box. It was so beautiful especially when it caught the light! The iridescence was a joy to look at. The gaiwan itself it quite heavy and a bit bigger than what I'm used to, but the weight is actually comforting since I know the stoneware is not as delicate as porcelain. It also takes heat wonderfully. I thoroughly enjoy using this gaiwan."

— Katrina (5/5)

Beautiful!

"This is a well made, pleasing gaiwan, The color is slightly different from what is pictured online, but that is to be expected with artisanal stoneware. This gaiwan is a joy to use."

— Lester P. (5/5)

The second most beautiful Gaiwan I own.

"Just not as beautiful as the oil spot gaiwan, but definitely a pleasure to look at. It is rather heavy and thick compared to other gaiwan I held in hand but it is to my liking. I can recommend both, the rainbow aswell as the oilspot stoneware. Its just gorgeous"

— Noah P. (5/5)

Q&A

Does this gaiwan interact with the tea at all like Yixing gaiwans? As in does it impart any minerality or absorb the tannins?
No, it's not porous.
Free Gifts

and BOGO Offers!

Brewing Guide

Helpful Suggestions!

Terms

Shipping, Refunds and More.

EU MRL

Yunnan Sourcing Brand Pu-erh