Cultural storiesLiaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang; Banner communities in Beijing and Hebei
Remembers which guests launch straight into conversation and which first need a quiet cup.
The story / Kryshka
Gently lifts the lid of a favourite gaiwan.
Cultural context
Kryshka / Collection
An ink-blue robe with a diagonal fastening is paired with a grey belt, pale cuffs and a short plum jacket. One paw supports a porcelain gaiwan of jasmine tea, while the other touches its tilted lid.
A smoky-blue cotton tunic with sparse pale stripes is paired with sand-coloured trousers and oatmeal slippers. Kryshka opens the broad paper flap of a bag of dry jasmine tea.
Kryshka welcomes guests in a jade-green robe and blue sleeveless jacket. One paw supports a gaiwan of jasmine tea while the other lifts its single lid by the knob. A warm tea curl remains visible on his own head; the headgear does not hide the creature's individuality.
In a plum wedding robe, Kryshka shows a guest his jasmine tea: one paw supports the gaiwan and saucer, the other holds the lid by its knob. A spiral bud grows from his uncovered head. Sharing tea is the character's personal hospitality, not a reconstruction of a Manchu ritual.
Kryshka holds his closed tea box and shows a little dry jasmine tea on a wooden scoop. One paw presses the box to his side, and the scoop's case is secured to his belt. Civilian dress is distinguished from court regalia; the objects belong to his personal tea story.
In a festive wedding outfit, Kryshka adjusts a red rosette and steadies a gift tea case hanging from a strap. Dry tea is visible through its open top. It is the character's personal gift, with no claim that it is a required national wedding offering.
00 / Original form
A softly rounded lid-shaped head carries one tightly curled honey-brown tea tip. Widely spaced eyes have a warm ring around the iris.
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