Firing technique of Cizhou kiln

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Cizhou kiln firing skills

Application area or unit: Fengfeng mining area, Hebei Province

Project No.: 360

Project No.: VIII - 10

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Hebei Province

Type: new item

Application area or unit: Fengfeng mining area, Hebei Province

Protection unit: cultural center of Fengfeng mining area, Handan City

Brief introduction of Cizhou kiln firing technology:

Application area or unit: Fengfeng mining area, Hebei Province

Pengcheng town of Fengfeng mining area is located in the west of Handan City, with a total area of 32.6 square kilometers. It is the main production area of Cizhou kiln. In the Neolithic period of Cishan culture, Fengfeng area has been able to produce beautiful pottery, becoming one of the birthplaces of China's pottery. In the Song Dynasty, Cizhou kiln entered a prosperous period, and reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty. As the center of Cizhou kiln, Pengcheng became the porcelain capital of northern China.

The raw materials of Cizhou kiln are mainly green soil, white alkali, jar soil, cage soil, loess (black medicine soil), zimujie, purple sand soil, refractory clay, hydraulic feldspar, etc. Kiln workers have a set of unique skills in the application of porcelain clay, which can make products colorful. Cizhou kiln is also rich in blank making techniques, including sculpture, drawing, wire rod, printing and other techniques, with a unique style. The decorative art of Cizhou kiln is also praiseworthy. It is mainly divided into three series: white porcelain with make-up, black glazed porcelain and low-temperature colored glazed porcelain. Its decorative techniques include white porcelain with make-up, white glazed engraving, pearl ground engraving, black glazed engraving, Song three color, red and green color, white ground black flower, Qing Dynasty brown color, Republic of China blue flower and modern Cizhou kiln pattern.

With the traditional firing skills of Cizhou kiln as the core, the ceramic industry culture including the folk culture of commercial district, oral literature, kiln building art and so on has also been formed. There are more than 20 temple fairs in Pengcheng ancient town every year, which promote ceramic trade activities, produce unique and rich trade customs, folktales, production proverbs, and leave a large number of utensils, words and paintings.

Under the impact of modernization, the traditional firing techniques of Cizhou kiln are facing the situation of retired old artists, changes in traditional production methods and production concepts, lack of production funds, and loss of handicrafts, which are in urgent need of comprehensive rescue and protection.