Yixing pottery has long enjoyed a distinguished reputation. Among the many types of pottery, purple clay (*zisha*) products stand out most prominently. This is because, in terms of purple clay itself, apart from what is excavated and produced in the "Pottery Capital" of Yixing and its Dingshu Mountain, although other places also have some production, when judged by the quality of the clay, it is not truly authentic purple clay. Therefore, they can only look on with envy: "This is the one and only, with no branches elsewhere." The purple clay of the "Pottery Capital" is truly blessed by nature. Using this unique and rare purple clay, through the exquisite craftsmanship of famous artisans throughout the ages, increasingly refined teapots, vases, dishes, and cups have been created. Particularly the teapots (with many styles, each with its own characteristics) are elegant and generous in their simplicity, rich and varied. When appreciating them, one feels delighted in heart and spirit—both refined scholars and common folk can appreciate them alike. With a teapot in hand, one cannot bear to put it down. Its practical function is distinctive: when brewing tea and pouring boiling water, in winter it does not easily cool, and in summer it does not burn the hand. Therefore, not only do the people of our motherland cherish it, but it also attracts many international connoisseurs from around the world, who regard it as a treasure. Because purple clay tea ware is renowned both in China and abroad, Yixing has now been designated as an open city in the Taihu Lake tourism area (facilitating tours of the "Three Caves"). This further attracts overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese to the "Pottery Capital" to purchase purple clay products, especially tea ware, flower pots, vases, and various ornamental objects and scholarly items. In order to earn more foreign exchange and support the nation's Four Modernizations construction, we must refine the current production standards of purple clay teapot craftsmanship to an even higher level of excellence. At the same time, exploring the materials in historical documents will not be without significance. ## I. The Origins of Purple Clay Teapot Craftsmanship The origins of purple clay teapots are generally traced back only to the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty. It is said that a monk at Jinsha Temple by the lake in Yixing was already skilled at making teapots and similar utensils. At that time, the Provincial Education Commissioner (an official who presided over examinations and selected talented individuals during the imperial examination era), Wu Yishan (a native of Yixing), was studying in the temple. His servant, Gong Chun, also followed the monk in his spare time to process clay, knead it, and learn to make pottery. Thus, it has been believed that the Jinsha Temple monk and Gong Chun were the founders of purple clay teapots.