Yi Xing-style Teapots

These teapots were made in November by using ceramic work techniques from the Yi Xing province (pronounced ee-sheeng) as taught by the artist Gu Mei-Qun. She oversaw the process of building these pots during the weeks of her visit to Hawai'i, but did not see nor evaluate the finished products.

The bodies of the pots started with the Yi Xing style of the basic cylinder. The Yi Xing style uses hand-building tools, and does not make use of the mechanical pottery wheel. Despite not being wheel-thrown, the lids are symmetrical and can rotate smoothly within the body.

Despite using Yi Xing styles, these pots were not made with the special zisha clay from the province because Gu Mei-Qun had only one bag, and it would have been too expensive and difficult to work with. *

* Zisha is a special clay unique to the Yi Xing province, and is known for its self-glazing properties - giving it a smooth surface on the first firing. It is extremely stiff and difficult to work with.