This article focuses on Jian ware tea bowls, the glaze of which is typically streaked or mottled. The main three types are called ”hare's fur,” ”oil spot” and ”partridge feather.” The author places Jian ware within the context of the Song dynasty aesthetic approach to ”recreating nature,” and after thorough examination concludes that the ”hare's fur” and ”partridge feather” patterns, in fact, were very fashionable types of decoration during the Song dynasty. Of course Jian tea bowls are the finest examples of the ”hare's fur” and ”partridge feather” glazes, but similar techniques can be seen in other wares during that period as well. The article also analyzes a group of exquisite Jian tea bowls which were imported to Japan, and discusses various ways that these pieces were brought into Japan, including the possibility of being presented as official gifts from the Ming dynasty court.