The Scholar’s Journey: 10-Piece “Heart & Sea” Portable Ritual Set

Hand-finished “Purple-Stone” Porcelain | Yu & Xiong Studio | Ancestral Travel Sanctuary

At ZENTAOEAST, we believe that the path to stillness should follow you wherever you wander. The Scholar’s Journey is a complete, curated tea house that fits within the palm of your hand. Designed for the modern nomad, this 10-piece set ensures that whether you are on a remote peak or in the heart of a bustling city, your tea ritual remains a sacred space of reconciliation.

The Poetry of the Path: Three Layers of Wisdom

Woven into the porcelain are the voices of the ancients, serving as anchors for your mindful practice. This set features three distinct inscriptions that form a complete spiritual narrative:

• The Lid Rest (The Anchor): Inscribed with the soul-stirring line: “Xīn Zhōng Yǒu Shān Hǎi, Chá Lǐ Wú Shì Fēi.” (With mountains and seas in the heart, all worldly conflicts vanish within the tea / 心中有山海，茶里无是非). It is a reminder that a broad perspective dissolves judgment.

• The Master Cup (The Reflection): Carries the verse of Song Dynasty monk Shi Zhishen: “True soulmates aren’t found in a thousand cups of wine; a single cup of empty tea can intoxicate the soul.” (知音不在千杯酒，一盏空茶也醉人).

• The Gaiwan & Guest Cups (The Healing): Etched with the comforting truth: “In this world, there is always an ounce of tea to soothe the three hundred and sixty wearinesses of life.” (人间总有一两茶解我三百六十乏).

The Aesthetic: The “Old Soul” in Clay

The Gaiwan, Master Cup, and Lid Rest feature a sophisticated Engobe (化妆土) exterior, meticulously applied to mimic the deep, rhythmic red of ancestral Yixing Zisha.

• Embracing Imperfection: The clay has intentionally bypassed high-level purification. Rich in natural iron, the surface is speckled with dark mineral “freckles.” This creates an “Aged Spirit” (Lǎo Qì)—a visual weight that reflects the “Rugged Clumsiness” of ancient artifacts.

• The Mark of the Fish: Each vessel carries the signature Yú (鱼 – Fish) on its base—the official hallmark of Yu & Xiong Studio, representing spiritual freedom and the fluid harmony between tradition and modernity.

The Engineering of Stillness

Measuring 20 x 11.5 x 9 cm, the durable PU leather case is a masterpiece of compact storage. Within this sanctuary dwells:

• The Brewing Core: A 145ml Gaiwan and a clear glass Fair-cup (170ml) to admire the clarity of your brew.

• The Hierarchy: One 90ml Master Cup and three 50ml Guest Cups for shared reflection.

• The Tools: A hand-inscribed lid rest, a bamboo tea pick, a premium tea towel, and a sample of ancestral tea.

Yu & Xiong Studio: Curation by the New Generation

This set is designed and produced by Yu & Xiong Studio, founded by two visionary “90s-generation” graduates from the prestigious Jingdezhen Ceramic University. Their work is a bridge between the ancient and the digital—stripping away the unnecessary to reveal the “True Heart” of the object.

Curator’s Verdict

“This 10-piece set is the ultimate ‘Emergency Kit’ for the modern soul. I was deeply moved by the inscription on the lid rest—’Mountains and seas in the heart.’ It perfectly describes the state of mind we hope to cultivate at ZENTAOEAST. This is a generous, high-precision toolkit designed to heal the ‘atomic’ isolation of modern travel. It is your sanctuary, packed and ready for the world.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator