2024-07-05 17:41:44
Located in Jiangsu province, Yixing has managed to build a reputation locally and globally, particularly thanks to its famous purple clay teapots, which are highly prized by collectors and tea connoisseurs around the world.
At the heart of this centuries-old tradition is the Dingshu Vocational School of Pottery, which provides pottery-making training and immersive activities through its 18 full-time teachers, 24 staff members and 96 part-time teachers.
Welcoming more than 800 volunteers engaged in community education work and with a capacity to accommodate 1,000 people for training and experience activities, the school stands out for its commitment to community development through pottery and an educational philosophy focused on industry and development through market integration, said Gu Ting, a ceramic art teacher at the school.
In a statement to MAP, Ms Ting said the school’s goal is to serve the ceramics industry and rural communities while preserving the old town’s ceramic culture and creating unique local educational features.
Yixing City is also home to architectural treasures related to the art of pottery, such as the “Qianshu Dragon Kiln”. Located in Sandongqiao Village, this site is a national cultural heritage site and is a testament to the region’s long tradition of pottery.
Originally established during the Ming Dynasty more than five centuries ago, this traditional dragon-shaped kiln, over 43 meters long, has 42 pairs of wood-feeding holes on each side, with five loading openings.
Despite historical developments, it continues to operate to the present day, mainly producing ceramics for daily use, such as basins, jars, pots, kettles, as well as purple clay teapots.
This kiln is the last of its kind in China to use traditional pottery firing methods. It embodies the dedication of local artisans to preserving their cultural heritage, and represents a unique experience that captures the imagination of visitors.
This age-old tradition also finds its roots in the alleys of the ancient city of Yixing, precisely in the south street of Shushan, which bears witness to the history and cultural richness of Yixing.
Measuring nearly 370 meters long and paved with more than 900 large purple stone slabs, each 1.4 meters, the preserved section of this street reflects the characteristic architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with their two-story brick and wood structures.
Over time, this street played a vital role in the trade and production of purple clay teapots. Its proximity to the main clay production area on Huanglong Mountain, as well as its positioning along the Li River, made it a hub for the production and trade of purple clay teapots.
From the Dingshu vocational pottery school to the Qianshu Dragon Kiln and the narrow alleys of Shushan, Yixing City remains firmly attached to its centuries-old tradition, preserving the treasures of its cultural heritage for generations to come.
2024-07-05 17:41:44