Legendary "Dragon" Kiln, Birthplace of Tenmoku Cups

Introduction

For centuries, the Dragon Kiln has been known as one of the greatest treasures of Chinese pottery. With its long, narrow structure, this unique kiln has enabled the creation of exceptional ceramic pieces, including the stoneware Tenmoku or "Jian" cups of the Song Dynasty. But it is above all the mystery of its name that has fascinated art lovers, giving a legendary dimension to this historic site.

What is this dragon oven?

In 1935, Professor Emeritus of Asian Art James Marshall Plumer excavated an ancient ceramic kiln site called the Dragon Kiln, located in Shuiji, Fujian, China. This discovery yielded numerous pieces of stoneware "Jian" cups dating to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD).

This site is considered the largest historical kiln of "Jian" cups, also known as Tenmoku, named after the temple on Tianmu Mountain, located 400 km from the Shuiji site and named thus by Japanese monks.

The kiln owes its name "Dragon" to its singular shape, long and narrow, placed at the top of a steep slope of the mountain, reminiscent of the shape of a dragon resting on the hill. This particular shape makes it possible to produce non-porous ceramics such as stoneware and porcelain at extremely high temperatures, which can exceed 1200°C, conditions long inaccessible to European potters.

Tenmoku Teacups

Tenmoku teacups, are from the legendary dragon kiln. These handcrafted cups owe their name to Japanese monks who admired their beauty by associating them with the Tenmoku (Tianmu) temple on the eponymous mountain in China.

Made with intricate craft techniques, each cup is unique due to its reactive glaze and intricate glaze, giving it a rich and complex appearance. Their unique color and appearance are created from chemical and natural reactions that occur during high-temperature firing, which can reach up to 1300 degrees. The shades of these cups vary depending on the firing conditions, soil type, and kiln location. Due to their rarity and complexity, they are considered a cultural treasure and valuable intangible heritage.

Tenmo is the only Tenmoku teacup specialist in France, working directly with artisans from the Fujian region with their ancestral knowledge. Below you will find an exclusive selection of Tenmoku handcrafted teacups.