Luozhuang District in Linyi City,Shandong Province,is a hub of the ceramic industry with a history spanning4,500years,tracing back to the Longshan culture known for its polished black pottery.In April1980,the"Eggshell Pot"high-necked cup unearthed in Huxiyan Village,Luozhuang District,exemplifies ceramics from that era.Ceramic production thrived during the Tang and Song dynasties,and an ancient porcelain kiln site along the Yuliang Riverbank west of Zhuchen dates from the Northern and Southern Dynasties,continuing through the Ming and Qing periods.It is one of the earliest and best-preserved sites in Shandong,holding significant historical value for studying the development of folk kiln ceramics in northern China.According to the"Linyi County Chronicle•Mining Field,"the three major production industries of iron smelting,ceramic bowls,and sand pots in Luozhuang District,represented by Fuzhuang,Zhuchen,and Huxiyan Village,have produced tanks,bowls,jars,basins,plates,and sand pots.products enjoy a high reputation in Subei,Lunan,Wanbei,and Yudong,becoming essential commodities in these regions.
The Zhou Family Dragon Kiln ceramic firing technique represents the traditional craftsmanship of Luozhuang ceramics."Dragon kiln"or"xia bowl"was already used during the Longshan culture period for firing eggshell black pottery.The Zhou Family Dragon Kiln can be traced back to1897(23rd year of the Qing Guangxu reign),founded by Zhou Junguang,Zhou Longguang,and Zhou Chunguang,three brothers who were kiln workers in Zhuchen.At that time,Zhuchen had a total of13small kilns for firing black pottery,with9of them managed by the Zhou family.Today,descendants or apprentices of the Zhou family continue to inherit this craft.
Luozhuang ceramics are made from dozens of local materials such as Daqingyan,Jiaobaoshi,purple clay,quartz powder,porcelain stone,clay,Daqingtu,yellow stone,and yellow medicated earth from Panlongshan,Qingyunshan,and Cuizhuang.After multiple processes including soil selection,clay mixing,grinding,shaping,drying,trimming,polishing,and glazing,they are molded into various styles of tanks,basins,bowls,plates,pots,jars,and urns.Fired at temperatures ranging from1160°C to1300°C,they emerge as utensils gleaming either in jet black or pure white like jade,reflecting metallic luster,producing resonant sounds like bells and chimes,and possessing a rich jade-like texture and a gentle flow like water.They are warmly elegant,simple yet robust,and are highly favored by people.
In1954,Linyi established a ceramic society.Due to social development,black pottery no longer met people's needs.The superior authorities proposed that Linyi ceramics must evolve from coarse to fine and from black to white.Therefore,the ceramic society formed a white porcelain experimental group led by Zhou Shuzhen,grandson of Zhou Chunguang,to conduct research.In June1956,the experiment succeeded,marking the transformation of ceramics in Linyi from black to white.In1985,Zhou Shuxian,son of Zhou Shuzhen and representative inheritor of the Luozhuang Zhou Family Dragon Kiln technique,founded the first private enterprise in Luozhuang,"Shandong Linyi City Garden Art Ceramic Factory,"developing over400varieties including black pottery,purple sand,white porcelain,and kiln transformation.These encompass garden architectural ceramics,artistic ceramics,and daily-use ceramics,featuring more than a dozen locally distinctive artistic ceramics such as calendar plaques,porcelain figurines,and flower vases.In1996,the Zhou Family Dragon Kiln was awarded the title of"China Time-Honored Brand"and was included in the fourth volume of the"China Time-Honored Brands"series.
In2021,Luozhuang Zhou Family Dragon Kiln ceramic firing techniques were designated as the fifth batch of intangible cultural heritage protection projects in Shandong Province.(By Wang Qinglong and Zhuang Huixi)
