Zhejiang's Longquan celadon rekindles world attention

Diyao, or the younger brother ware. [Photo/Xinhua]

Next comes the trimming and carving. The clay-wares are carefully trimmed by veteran craftsmen. The surface is often incised with motifs of peony, rose, and lotus, which represent auspiciousness and happiness in Chinese culture.

After the raw wares are trimmed and carved, they will be packed on shelves in the kiln for firing. The temperatures should be strictly controlled at around 1,000 degrees Celsius. After that the craftsman will paste them with glaze and then they will be heated up and cool down for five to six times. By then, the pump-green, transparent, and gorgeous celadon is completed.

Traditionally, Longquan celadon can be divided into two categories: Geyao, or the elder brother celadon and Diyao, the younger brother celadon.

Sounds interesting, but why it was named that way? Long time ago, there were two brothers in Longquan, Zhang Shengyi and Zhang Shenger, both good at ceramic-making. However, the elder brother's celadon wares were way better than his younger brother's.

One day, out of envy, the younger brother stealthily mixed coal ashes into his brother's clay mounds. When the celadon products were taken out from the kiln, the elder brother was frustrated to find that the celadon wares were covered with black crackles. Vertical or interlaced, the lines showed natural beauty of intricacy, however. The elder brother had no choice but to try to sell them at a discount. Surprisingly, collectible-seekers were interested in this rarely seen celadon. In fact, they were bidding high prices.

From that time on, it is quite easy for people to distinguish between Geyao and Diyao, as Geyao is always featured with irregular crackles, while Diyao is light green in color and glossy in texture.

In 2009, Longquan celadon production technique was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Humanity by UNESCO and rekindled world attention.

Today, with the support of the government and wisdom of masters of celadon productions, Longquan celadon is continuing its brilliance.