Fairness Tea Pitcher (gōng dào bēi 公道杯) - White Shino (no.1)

The Gōng Dào Bēi 公道杯 ("Fairness Pitcher" or "Fairness Cup") is a small pitcher that the steeped tea is poured into, making it possible both to be precise in how long the tea is steeped as well as creating a liquor (steeped tea) that is the same flavour and  same amount steeped for all those partaking.  

The tea is first steeped in a teapot, gaiwan or other steeping vessel, then poured into the Gōng Dào Bēi, from which it is served into small cups.  High quality loose leaf teas may be steeped multiple times, with variation and depth of flavour emerging from subsequent steepings.  

Ths autumn batch of Gōng Dào Bēi include a variety of classical east Asian glazes.  These ones are Japanese style white shino glaze on white porcelain clay, high fired in a reduction atmosphere.  Shino is famous for carbon trapping which creates  patterns especially on and near the rims that are irreproducible.