A Tea Addict's Journal

Yixing inventory #17: Mengchen

January 31, 2017 · 10 Comments

First of all, happy year of the rooster to everyone!

This pot has a bit of a weird clay – looks great, but it has this really hollow sound which makes me think it’s got a crack, but I don’t see anything wrong with it. It’s just a more hollow sounding clay, I suppose, but I am hesitant to use it. The line at the bottom of the pot says “When the moon is in the middle of the sky it’s especially bright” and the name Mengchen. 170ml.

Categories: Objects
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10 responses so far ↓

  • Karl Drewke // January 31, 2017 at 3:47 pm | Reply

    Marshall:

    Another beautiful pot, it would be a shame if you do not use it.

  • Francis // February 1, 2017 at 4:21 pm | Reply

    Dear Marshaln,

    What a beautiful colored teapot. Striking! And the Hanzi characters are quite beautiful too. Are you hesitant to use it because of the color (maybe bad things in the clay) or because of the potential hidden crack?

    Thanks and good wishes,

    Francis

  • oop // February 6, 2017 at 3:30 am | Reply

    Marhaln,

    Excuse my ignorance, but can’t you just fill it with cold water and put it in your kitchen sink to test for cracks? I understand not using hot water, but I can’t imagine not trying a water test first, right?

    • MarshalN // February 7, 2017 at 3:10 am | Reply

      It’s not something visible – I can’t see it, but it sounds like it has a crack. That happens sometimes when you have a nice patina that covers up the cracks, or maybe it’s hidden. It’s not always obvious either – or it might be a very small thing now that will not really leak, but as soon as you pour hot water in it the crack pops and you’re in trouble.

  • Camerin // February 7, 2017 at 10:50 pm | Reply

    Some interesting information on here, I am just looking to get into more advanced tea practice and some gonfu traditions. What brand do you recommend for a less expensive but decent tea ware?

  • Alain Gaskin // February 16, 2017 at 12:50 am | Reply

    Its a shame if that teapot has a crack since I think is beautiful. Is it used? What do you do when you buy an used teapot but dont know what kind of tea was brewed in it?

  • Tobias Müller // October 22, 2017 at 12:52 pm | Reply

    Dear MarshalN, how can I send you a Mail. Need some help with a pot. On your categorie “about”
    I can´t get the adress… hope you can help me. Tobias

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