Kazumi Tsuji + factory zoomer “My Chinese Tea”

“About ten years ago, I began to have more opportunities to exhibit at galleries in Taiwan and mainland China. A Taiwanese tea master friend of mine, who loves Japan and the work of Japanese artists, was the connection that led me to begin creating utensils for Chinese tea. At first, I was simply imitating what I saw, but as I drank tea and learned how to brew it, I became completely absorbed—both in the tea itself and in the tools used for it. While part of me thinks it’s absurd for a Japanese person to be making Chinese tea ware, I thoroughly enjoy the creative remix. As a glass artist, it’s an especially challenging pursuit, yet I enjoy it with the excitement of having discovered a new creative avenue.

In China and Taiwan too, new scenes are emerging that begin with tea utensils from Japan. They’ve especially captured the interest of younger tea practitioners, and it’s fascinating to see tea gatherings using utensils made by Japanese artists. For us as makers, the theme of “Chinese tea,” which came to us unexpectedly, has opened up many opportunities and possibilities. With Chinese tea’s history stretching over 4,500 years, the thought that Japanese crafts might now contribute even a single drop to that long tradition—perhaps for the first time in Japan’s tradition of everyday crafts—is quietly thrilling.”

－ Glass artist Kazumi Tsuji