Volcanic Tea Tray green_japan A splash of water opens

A splash of water opens it up

Unlike some of the more aggressive teas the region is known for

We visited Master Ren Yi-Xin in his Yixing atelier

or taste the down-to-earth countenance of wood and hay

Volcanic Tea Tray green_japan A splash of water opensGlinting quietly on the tea table, this ceramic block gashed by jagged openings resembles rock melting around a vent or hewn from veins of precious ore. The pitted, grey surface has been filled above with pockets of lustrous glaze and sunk at its center to make a place for a teapot or gaiwan, and any drips or discards will gravitate through the openings into the hollow interior. A discreet hole in the side allows emptying when full (and possibly even