[清本源 x Gohobi Gallery] Blue & White Chicken Cup with Inner-Impressed Willow Leaf Motif – Heart Sutra Design (80ml)

This blue-and-white chicken cup is a contemplative tea vessel that unites Buddhist wisdom, classical symbolism, and restrained ceramic artistry in a form both intimate and profound.

The exterior decoration draws inspiration from the Heart Sutra, one of the shortest yet most influential texts in Buddhist scripture. Though concise in words, its meaning is vast and far-reaching, regarded as the distilled essence of the Prajñā scriptures and occupying a revered position within Mahāyāna Buddhism. Often described as the spiritual “heart” of the Buddha’s teachings, the sutra encapsulates the philosophy of emptiness and insight into the true nature of reality.

The text begins with Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva and concludes with the mantra “Gate Gate Pāragate Pārasaṃgate Bodhi Svāhā,” forming a complete arc of inquiry and awakening. Through the dialogue between Avalokiteśvara and Śāriputra, it expounds the principles of the Five Aggregates, the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, and the Four Noble Truths, ultimately expressing the understanding that all phenomena are empty in nature. Translated into ceramic form, this teaching becomes a quiet presence rather than a didactic statement, inviting reflection through use rather than proclamation.

Inside the cup, a willow leaf motif is subtly inner-impressed beneath the glaze. Emerging softly from within the porcelain body, the pattern carries associations of gentleness, flexibility, and quiet endurance. The willow’s graceful movement complements the philosophical depth of the Heart Sutra, suggesting clarity that flows rather than resists, and wisdom that adapts without losing integrity.

Rendered in classic blue-and-white, the cup maintains a restrained elegance that allows meaning to reside beneath the surface. When tea is poured, light and liquid interact with the inner pattern, allowing the imagery to reveal itself gradually. Each sip becomes a small pause, encouraging calm attention and inward clarity.

The form follows the traditional chicken cup silhouette, compact and balanced, well suited to gongfu tea practice. Its proportions invite mindful handling, making it ideal for moments of quiet focus and deliberate enjoyment.

Diameter: 7.7 cm
Height: 3.9 cm
Capacity: 80 ml

The listed price is for one cup. Each piece is individually handcrafted, and subtle variations in cobalt tone, inner impression, and form are part of its unique character. Customers are welcome to request a private video viewing for a closer look. Orders are shipped using reused or recycled packaging wherever possible.

A tea cup where Buddhist wisdom and gentle symbolism meet—quiet in appearance, deep in meaning, and designed to accompany moments of reflection, clarity, and calm presence.