About the Artist

Cai Jie (蔡杰) is a Jian ware maker from the Cai family tradition in Shuiji, Jianyang and a Jianyang District representative inheritor of Jian kiln and Jian ware firing technique. He is the son and student of provincial representative inheritor Cai Bingsheng (蔡炳盛) and the brother of Jian ware maker Cai Wei (蔡威).

Training & Family Lineage

Cai Jie and Cai Wei grew up around their father’s Jian ware workshop, helping with clay and observing forming and firing from childhood. After completing university, the brothers returned home and formally studied under their father. Reporting on the family workshop describes nearly a decade of direct instruction through which they learned the complete Jian ware production process.

Research & Practice

Cai Jie’s work is connected with the Cai Family Jian Kiln/Jian Ware Research Institute (蔡氏建窑建盏研究所). In 2015, he coauthored 《试论建盏的烧制工艺》 with Cai Bingsheng and Cai Wei. The paper discusses Jian ware bodies, iron-rich materials, crystalline glaze formation, rabbit-hair, oil-spot, and firing control, documenting the family workshop’s engagement with both practical firing and technical study.

References