A Study of the “Yohen Tenmoku” Bowl from the Jian Kiln in Ancient China

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A Study of the “Yohen Tenmoku” Bowl from the Jian Kiln in Ancient China

Weidong Li | Xiaoming Fang

Social Science / Archaeology

This book presents the first comprehensive study of the “Yohen Tenmoku” bowl. The “Yohen Tenmoku” bowl is widely regarded as the most exquisite black-glazed tea bowl produced by the ancient Jian Kiln in China. Renowned for its dazzling, iridescent “Halos” and rich coloration, it has been celebrated as a "divine masterpiece under heaven" and often described as a "universe within a bowl." However, because of the scarcity and rarity of theYohen Tenmoku” bowl, little research has been conducted on it. In 2009, “Yohen Tenmoku” shards were unearthed at the site of the Southern Song Dynasty's Lin'an City—specifically at the original location of the Southeast Chemical Factory in Hangzhou—creating a stir in both archaeological and collecting communities. Since 2020, the authors of this book have employed various scientific methods to conduct a thorough and systematic investigation of these “Yohen Tenmoku” shards. Their research has successfully uncovered the manufacturing techniques behind the “Yohen Tenmoku” bowl and clarified the scientific principles involved. This study marks the world’s first comprehensive analysis of the “Yohen Tenmoku” bowl, distinguished by its originality and substantial academic significance. The “Yohen Tenmoku” bowl from the Jian Kiln embodies profound scientific knowledge and exceptional craftsmanship, serving as a brilliant representative of China’s ceramic heritage.

Weidong Li is a Professor at the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Deputy Director of the Key Research Lab of Ancient Ceramics, Chinese Ministry of Cultural Heritage. Her research focuses on reverse engineering ancient ceramic technologies, exploring the physical chemistry of archaeological materials, uncovering the coloring mechanisms of renowned ancient glazes, and studying the corrosion and degradation of ceramics in marine and terrestrial environments. She has received the first prize of the Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Award and the second prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award of China.

Xiaoming Fang is Deputy Director of the Inkstone Culture Committee. His collection includes the “Yohen Tenmoku” bowl, recognized as the fourth of its kind worldwide. In 2020, it was publicly exhibited for the first time at Jingci Temple Art Museum in Hangzhou, drawing significant attention. In 2013, his personal inkstone collection was showcased at Zhejiang Museum under the title Hundred Inkstones and Thousand Postures. Many of his pieces have appeared in Complete Works of Japanese Fine Arts (Vol. VI), Tao Shuo, Ju Mei, Palace Museum Monthly, and publications of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics.


Publication Date: 17 December 2026
Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore
Imprint: Springer
ISBN-13: 9789819241705
Format: Hardback

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