Wood-Fired Translucent Ice-Smoke Xishi Teapot

She begins to reveal herself when heated.

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The clay body carries a subtle translucency—
light can enter through the walls.

This condition does not present itself directly,
but appears only under specific circumstances,
existing as a latent layer within the vessel.

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Wood-firing allows flame and ash to settle and permeate the surface,
forming interwoven traces of depth and granular texture.

The body is hand-pinched point by point,
retaining a fine field of pores
that later interact with moisture.

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When hot water is poured in,
the vessel warms—

moisture slowly emerges along the surface,
forming a thin veil of mist around the body.

The mist adheres to the granular texture,
moving across rises and recesses,
continuously shifting and dissipating
with temperature and environment.

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In stillness,
the surface appears complete.

But in use,
it enters another state.

The appearance of “smoke”
transforms the vessel from structure into phenomenon.

—

Translucency resides within,
while ice-smoke manifests on the surface.

They do not overlap,
yet together complete the vessel.

—

Fire leaves the texture,
moisture reveals it.

She retains an interior not fully seen,
and an exterior that continues to transform through use.