Jinsha Temple Monk

CHINA; Ming dynasty

The Jinsha Temple monk, whose real name is unknown, was a potter and monk who is assumed to have resided in the area southwest of Yixing at Jinsha Temple in Jiangsu. The legend of the Jinsha Temple Monk has been recorded in several accounts such as Record of the Famous Pottery of Yangxian. In addition, Zhou Gaoqi of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) stated in the introduction of Yangxian Tea Pot Series that he had a dignified and composed disposition, and was known to enjoy creating pottery alongside other artists.
The monk used finely ground mud as a base to create a special type of clay referred to as “Yixing clay” for the area that it comes from. From this malleable clay, he could knead and sculpt it into teapots. His creations are well-rounded with a hollow body and attached with an opening, handle, and lid. He often gifted these pots to people, and they have since been considered precious items. He is also credited with the creation of the Zisha teapot, which is from a distinct purple-colored sand, and is often also known as a purple sand pot.