If the piece has even a slight imperfection at any stage it is destroyed to ensure only Perfect grand examples of Jun can be sold.
Since the very beginning of August Moon Tea, we have worked exclusively with master artists, tea farmers and experts. These close relationships have been essential in allowing us to deliver a superior high quality authentic Chinese products.
In September we travelled deep into the heart of Henan Province, Renowned as the birthplace of all Chinese culture. We had the privilege to meet with master artists whose skills and secrets have been passed down through the generations. These masters produce the same exceptional quality as their ancestors would have presented to the imperial family and the emperor himself.
We have learned so much from these masters and are excited to import exquisite pieces of both Jun and Ru for you to admire at August Moon.
As soon as we arrived in shenhou (神垕) in the heart of Yuzhou City (禹州). We were truly in awe to be in the very birthplace of Jun porcelain, famous for its unique and mysterious rich colours of glaze. Jun Porcelain was considered so precious that only the emperors of the Song dynasty could own such fine porcelain. Every year 36 pieces were crafted by the best Jun porcelain artists and the emperor would select the 10 finest examples to display in the imperial palace. All others would be destroyed to ensure the exclusivity of Jun. The unpredictability of the specially crafted glaze made Jun an outstanding pearl in Chinese porcelain history.
Mr Ren has been studying porcelain his entire adult life. His expertise and passion for Jun porcelain are renowned and respected throughout Yuzhou.
Mr Ren took us deep into the mountains to an authentic Jun kiln. We were introduced us to a close personal friend and Jun master Mr Yang. Far away from the city in the peaceful mountain setting we were given the honour to tour the studio to see firsthand how true Jun is made, glazed and fired in the kiln. We are excited to announce we are working with Mr yang and Ren to deliver superior Jun porcelain to our customers.
Mr Yang explained the entire process to make a single grand piece of Jun porcelain. There are so many elements that must be perfect in every way. The first Kiln can only fire one piece at a time and it takes an entire day, there are then several other stages of glazing and firing. If the piece has even a slight imperfection at any stage it is destroyed to ensure only Perfect grand examples of Jun can be sold.
We visited a few other studios in Shenhou and finished our day with a lovely meal with our friends.
We had the chance to meet other masters in Shenhou and thoroughly enjoyed the Privilege to learn directly from the masters themselves. After this visit, we truly have a greater appreciation of this ancient art and understand why Chinese people are so passionate about this ancient porcelain fit for the emperor.