Ji Yishun

Ji Yishun, born in Yixing in 1960, was recognized as a Senior Master in 2005, a Chinese Arts and Crafts Master in 2018 (seventh edition), and a Chinese Ceramic Art Master in 2010 (second edition). In 1978, he joined the Yixing Zisha Craft Factory and studied under the researcher-level senior arts and crafts master Gao Lijun. By the 1990s, he was acclaimed by collectors at home and abroad as one of the "Four Titans of the Teapot World" (alongside Jiang Jianxiang, Chen Guoliang, and Shi Xiaoma), establishing himself as a pivotal figure in the continuity and innovation of Zisha art.

Ji Yishun has held several prominent positions, including Outstanding Contribution Master in the Service Industry (2019-2020), Chairman of the Zisha Art Professional Committee of the China Arts and Crafts Society, Vice President of the Ceramic Art Committee of the China Ceramic Industry Association, Vice President of the Jiangsu Arts and Crafts Society, Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Folk Artists Association, Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress representative, Yixing Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee member, and Vice Chairman of the Yixing Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

At 17, Ji began his career at the Jiangsu Yixing Zisha Craft Factory, grounding himself in traditional techniques. He honed his skills in plainware before studying under the senior masters Gao Lijun and Wang Xiaolong, learning comprehensive teapot-making techniques. Under their tutelage, he delved into traditional Zisha floral wares, earning his place among the "Four Titans of Yixing Pottery."

Through further studies at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Ji Yishun began producing innovative works in his thirties, drawing inspiration from natural ecological scenes. His creations, such as "Jiangnan Scene," are known for their vivid and lifelike representations. By 2000, Ji Yishun's works began to reflect traditional Chinese auspicious themes, conveying subtle blessings through pieces like the "Ruyi Series." His commemorative works, including "Ninety-Nine Prosperity," "China Teapot," and "Spring Surge in Jinling," encapsulate historical moments through the art of Zisha teapots.

In recent years, Ji Yishun's creations, such as "Heart Toward the Sun," and "Hundred Treasures Teapot" have featured intricate techniques like gold inlay and multicolored clay filling, along with ancient gemstone inlaying. These methods elevate the elegance and value of his teapots, blending luxurious aesthetics with exceptional craftsmanship and creativity.

Over more than forty years, Ji Yishun has created hundreds of works, continually introducing new pieces that merge floral and plain designs. In 2018, the China Light Industry Federation and the Beijing Intangible Cultural Heritage Development Foundation designated Ji Yishun's studio as a "Base for the Inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage."

Ji Yishun inherits tradition but does not rigidly adhere to it. He boldly explores and excels in innovation, mastering the fundamental language of Zisha while integrating painting, relief, and gold and silver inlays into teapot decoration. This approach naturally creates a three-dimensional effect of "painting on the teapot, teapot in the painting," greatly enriching the cultural connotation and artistic charm of Zisha teapots. He merges Zisha art into daily life, seamlessly combining high art with everyday use, creating a unique "Ji Yishun Teapot Art Style" characterized by the integration of floral and plain elements, beauty for both appreciation and use, lively charm, and distinctive style.

 His notable awards include:

1986: "Fitness Tea Set" won the first prize in the National Ceramic Creation and Design Competition.

1996: "Big Mouse Teapot" won the first prize in the Jingdezhen Cup Sino-Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition.

1997: "Rural Scenery" series teapots won the first prize in the Jiangsu Ceramic Art New Products Exhibition.

2000: "Fragrance of Flowers and Bamboo Teapot" won the gold medal at the First China Arts and Crafts Masters Exhibition.

2001 onwards: "Shou Zhu Handle Teapot" and "Blessing and Longevity Teapot" won gold medals at the Third and Fourth China Arts and Crafts Masters Exhibitions.

2006: "Jiangnan Watertown Scene" five-piece teapot set won the gold medal at the Eighth National Ceramic Innovation Design Competition. "Zi Qi Dong Lai" was collected by the Ziguang Pavilion in Zhongnanhai. Several other works have also won gold medals at arts and crafts master evaluations.