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What is tenmoku?

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Released:2025-06-02
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Tenmoku is a valued ceramic glaze from China's Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD) characterized by its rich black base and moveable crystalline patterns, like silver "oil spots" (Yohen) or golden streaks of "hare's fur." Initially a glaze for tea rituals from Jianyang kilns (Jianzhan), the term was later assigned by Japanese monks after Mount Tianmu. As one of the best-known examples of a ceramic glaze that successfully contributed to the value and flavor of tea.
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About ChromWare2025-05-29
【Brand Story | ChromWare: For 20 years, ChromWare's 1300°C kiln-fired glazes fuse Song Dynasty Jian Zhan artistry into contemporary design – turning coffee cups into "touchable Eastern philosophy." From Kyoto teahouses to Zurich homes, their celestial-patterned vessels bridge cultures, reviving millennium-old craft in daily rituals.
What is tenmoku?2025-06-02
Tenmoku is a valued ceramic glaze from China's Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD) characterized by its rich black base and moveable crystalline patterns, like silver "oil spots" (Yohen) or golden streaks of "hare's fur." Initially a glaze for tea rituals from Jianyang kilns (Jianzhan), the term was later assigned by Japanese monks after Mount Tianmu. As one of the best-known examples of a ceramic glaze that successfully contributed to the value and flavor of tea.
How to make a tenmoku glaze?2025-05-10
Uncover the secrets to making real Tenmoku glaze for Jianzhan tea cups! Where the use of iron oxide (5-15%) and reduction firing (1280 °C) encourage the iron oxide crystals to form during a carefully controlled cooling process. You'll receive key recipes and techniques for application, and firing schedules, as well as some modern modifications to become proficient in this ancient Chinese ceramics tradition.
ChromWare handmade Ceramic Art Co., Ltd.

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  • Email：chromware2025@gmail.com
  • Address：Manufacturing base Chromware Production Factory, No. 32, Houjing Village, Shuiji Town, Jianyang District, Nanping City, Fujian Province, China

About Us


Tenmoku, also known as JianZhan, a type of black glazed tea bowl, hails from Fujian, China. It was first produced during the Song Dynasty (960–1279) and is famous for its natural glazed patterns and the iron-rich clay, which is the foundation of every piece. The textural depth and visual glaze patterns reveal themselves randomly at high-temperature wood-firing, which makes it a unique (or impossible to duplicate) piece. ChromWare has been studying and mastering tenmoku pottery​, an ancient art, for more than 20 years. Our tenmoku tea sets are utilizing the original Song Dynasty techniques, which are 13 steps, and modern day creativity and skill. We hand-make each piece with iron-rich clay (9% Fe content) and produce the recognizable hare's fur, oil spots, and iridescent tenmoku glaze patterns by wood-firing in kilns at 1300ºC. Our tenmoku tea cups are known by collectors around the globe because they reflect China's ceramic history and modern form in tea wares.ChromWare partners with global cultural leaders: Shanghai's Waldorf Astoria uses ​Tenmoku tea cups​ in VIP rituals; Kyoto's Fujian teahouse crafts custom ​Hare’s Fur bowls. Taipei's Eslite Bookstore pairs JianZhan with ancient texts, while Shanghai's Duoyun sold $150k ​Tenmoku sets​ in a day—bridging tradition through art.

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