LIANG YI 两仪 Reversible tea runner (short version)

ESSENCE | The chabu (tea runner) is the silent foundation of the chaxi, your tea altar. It anchors the space, offering a grounding presence to hold your ceramics and contain the ritual, inviting the spirit of the tea to unfold. Through its colors, textures, and weaves, the chabu you choose sets the tone of the ritual — grounding the heart and inviting stillness. It supports without claiming space — a quiet poetry beneath the vessels. For this collection, we have selected a delicate, reversible short chabu designed to inspire a variety of tea altar compositions. One side features a traditional indigo checkered weave, while the other reveals a contemporary pattern of linear textures. Both fabrics are crafted from yarns hand-dyed with indigo leaves, celebrating the dialogue between heritage and modernity. Inside the runner, we’ve added a layer of pure wool to gently absorb the drops of water dancing during the ritual. NAME | 两仪 Liǎng Yí, for "Two Principles", is a philosophical nod to duality, honoring this reversible piece. STORY | This tea runner is lovingly handcrafted by women artisans from the Dong indigenous community, part of the DEYI textile cooperative. From the cultivation of cotton to natural dyeing with medicinal plants, through weaving and final sewing, every step is carried out with the utmost care — preserving centuries-old traditions and honoring Mother Earth. These craftswomen live and work in deep harmony with Nature, in small remote villages of Rongjiang County, Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Among the Dong people, indigo is considered as a sacred medicinal plant. When preparing the indigo dye vat, the women prepare an altar to ask for blessings from the deities of Nature and the female ancestors, inviting a smooth and harmonious fermentation process. The indigo vat is a living ecosystem — even considered as a member of the family by the women themselves. This versatile chabu will cradle your ceramics and tea tools with grace, carrying the spirit of indigo medicine and the deep love of the artisans for their craft — a wisdom passed down through generations of women. COMPOSITION | 100% indigenous organic cotton. Hand-spun yarns, hand-dyed with indigo leaves, and handwoven on traditional looms. CARING | Each fabric is truly unique, shaped over several days of patient, handmade work. Small irregularities in the weave or the dye are not defects — they’re part of the soul of the piece, traces of the human hands behind it. To care for this piece with the attention it deserves, we invite you to read our caring guide. SIZE | 30 x 55 cm (short version). Click here for the long version. SHIPPING | We offer worldwide shipping. Prices listed include shipping fees. By placing an order, you agree to the following terms and conditions.