{"product_id":"yixing-heizhu-ni-ziye-shipiao-130ml","title":"Black Zhu Ni Ziye Shipiao Yixing Teapot - 130ml Handmade","description":"\u003cp\u003eA 130ml Ziye Shipiao in raw black Zhu clay (黑朱泥), fully handmade by Yixing artisan Yi Lai. Each pot carries an interior maker's stamp applied before firing, and comes with a collector's certificate and gift box. Black Zhu clay fires to a deep, close-grained surface. At 130ml, this is a small-format pot suited to focused solo brewing or a tight two-person session.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Shape\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ziye Shipiao takes its name from Qu Ziye, a Qing Dynasty literati figure known for his refined taste in Yixing pottery. Compared to the standard Shipiao, the Ziye variant is slightly more elongated — considered more refined in proportion, with a body that tapers more gradually from base to shoulder. Three small rounded feet lift the base from the table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 130ml, the pot is compact without being miniature. It suits a relaxed solo session or a close two-person pour, keeping steeping times short and flavors concentrated across multiple infusions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Clay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRaw black Zhu clay (原矿黑朱泥):\u003c\/strong\u003e Zhu clay is a high-silica, fine-grained Yixing clay with a notably high shrinkage rate during firing — which requires more precise work at every stage and results in a lower yield of acceptable finished pieces. Black Zhu clay is a darker variant that fires to a deep grey-black with a faint warm undertone and a smooth, close-grained surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZhu clay is denser and less porous than most other Yixing clays. It seasons more gradually, but the dense surface is traditionally considered well-suited to aromatic teas — thought to preserve volatile aromatic compounds better than more porous materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFully Handmade — What That Means\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pot is fully handmade (全手工制作): the body was shaped entirely by hand using traditional Yixing slab-building and paddle techniques, without the use of a mold. The interior carries Yi Lai's maker's stamp, applied before firing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFully handmade pots carry the hand of the maker in their surface — minor variations in line, slight asymmetries in the profile — that are inherent to the process and not defects. Each piece is individual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTeapot with interior maker's stamp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGift box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollector's certificate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapacity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e130ml ± 10ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiameter 11cm · H 5.5cm · Opening 3.8cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater outlet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNine-hole mesh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFully handmade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYi Lai (义来), Yixing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYixing, Jiangsu, China\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to Brew\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Zhu clay's fine, dense surface makes it a strong match for high-aroma teas. The Ziye Shipiao form and 130ml volume are well-suited to \u003cstrong\u003eWuyi rock tea (yan cha)\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ehigh-roast oolong\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003ePhoenix Dancong\u003c\/strong\u003e brewed gongfu-style with short steeping times. The nine-hole mesh provides slightly faster flow than a single-hole spout, which helps with quick pours on short infusions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeasoning Your New Pot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse inside and out with boiling water two or three times before first use. Brew a session with your intended tea, discarding the first steeping. After each use, empty, remove the lid, and allow to dry naturally in open air. Zhu clay's dense surface seasons gradually — changes build slowly over months of regular use rather than appearing quickly. Use consistently with one tea type for the clearest development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Note on Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll product photos are taken of the actual item. Colors may appear slightly different on your screen due to lighting conditions and monitor calibration. The clay color and surface texture you receive will be consistent with what is shown — minor variation is normal and not a quality issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore the full range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Return to the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/orientaleaf.com\/collections\/teapots\"\u003eTeapots collection\u003c\/a\u003e to see all Yixing teapots currently available.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Orientaleaf","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58647329374511,"sku":null,"price":58.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0848\/4854\/1999\/files\/01-heizhu-ni-ziye-shitiao-yixing-teapot-front.jpg?v=1791953203","url":"https:\/\/orientaleaf.com\/ja\/products\/yixing-heizhu-ni-ziye-shipiao-130ml","provider":"Orientaleaf","version":"1.0","type":"link"}