Changes

==History==

==History==

[[File:Tieguanyin2.jpg|left|thumb|175px|Prior to the gaiwan, a bowl such as a [[chawan]], was the most common form of consuming tea.]]

[[File:Tieguanyin2.jpg|left|thumb|175px|Prior to the gaiwan, a bowl such as a [[chawan]], was the most common form of consuming tea.]]

Prior to the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), [[tea]] was normally consumed from the vessel in which it was prepared. As described by the tea master Lu Yu, this special bowl had to be large enough to accommodate the implements and actions of tea brewing, though compact enough to be held comfortably in the hands for consumption.  The term for this versatile piece of equipment was ''[[chawan]]'' (茶碗; lit. "tea bowl").  It was during the [[Ming Dynasty]] that the innovations in both tea ritual and tea preparation gave rise to the gaiwan. The gaiwan of today are generally smaller and more leaves are used in brewing.

Prior to the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), [[tea]] was normally consumed from the vessel in which it was prepared. As described by the tea master Lu Yu, this special bowl had to be large enough to accommodate the implements and actions of tea brewing, though compact enough to be held comfortably in the hands for consumption.  The term for this versatile piece of equipment was ''[[chawan]]'' (茶碗; lit. "tea bowl").  It was during the Ming Dynasty that the innovations in both tea ritual and tea preparation gave rise to the gaiwan. The gaiwan of today are generally smaller and more leaves are used in brewing.

==Function==

==Function==