Yixing teapot shape gongchun
author: Wei Ren, artist,manager of Siyutao.
Why is the Gongchun teapot called “Gongchun”?
The Gongchun 供春 teapot is believed to have been created by a potter named Gongchun供春, and thus named after him. Gongchun innovated by imitating the texture of tree bark and burls from nature. Many classic Yixing teapot shapes are named after their creators，for example, the Wendan teapot 文旦壶 was first made by Li Wendan 李文旦, and the Siting teapot by Lu Siting 陆思亭.
Why is Gongchun important?
The Gongchun teapot is the earliest Yixing teapot clearly recorded in historical documents and is regarded as the origin of Yixing teapots. It was first mentioned in （阳羡茗壶系）Yixing Minghu Xizhi (The Classic of Yixing Teapots) compiled by Gao Qi 高起 in the Ming Dynasty. The Ming scholar Zhang Dai 张岱 also praised the Gongchun teapot, saying it could stand proudly alongside ancient bronze ritual vessels without any sense of shame.
Why is making a Gongchun teapot difficult?
The difficulty lies in the coordination of eye, mind, and hand to create a form that resembles natural tree bark and burls yet remains spiritually expressive. It is not a simple imitation of nature but a form of creative reinterpretation. The image seen by the artist’s eyes, the idea conceived in the mind, and the final piece expressed through the hand often result in three different states. Achieving this unity of eye, mind, and hand requires extensive experience and continuous practice.
Why do literati admire the Gongchun teapot?
Because the Gongchun teapot draws inspiration from nature, embodying simplicity and tranquility，values that align with the literati’s philosophy of life and aesthetic tastes. Traditionally, literati pursued a life of inner peace, natural simplicity, and unfettered, transcendent freedom, while favoring a refined, quiet aesthetic.
