Chinanews.com, Liuzhou, December 4th, title: Visiting Guangxi "Dragon Kiln Firewood Burning" Natural variables create kiln quality products
Author Liu Juncong
"The temperature in the dragon kiln is relatively uncontrollable, and the firing process is highly variable, so ceramics often have unpredictable changes in glaze color. This is precisely the surprise that this traditional craft brings us." Jiang Taihua said.
The picture shows Jiang Taihua checking the product quality.
Wei Guozheng
On the 4th, at the Yongxing Ceramics Factory in Shanglei Village, Shapu Town, Liucheng County, Liuzhou City, Guangxi, 66-year-old Jiang Taihua made the above introduction with a small ceramic vase.
Delicate and small, this vase has a dazzling deep purple surface, dotted with spots that sparkle like stars.
The picture shows the interior of the dragon kiln.
Photo by Liu Juncong
"The color and pattern on the surface of this vase are formed by natural kiln changes after being fired in the dragon kiln. In 2015, the vase was brought to Japan by a friend for exhibition, and it was loved by local merchants." Jiang Taihua said excitedly.
In Yongxing Ceramics Factory, a 40-meter-long earthen kiln with a low front and a high back is particularly conspicuous.
According to Jiang Taihua, unlike the round kiln commonly used in Jingdezhen, a famous Chinese ceramics town, this kind of long kiln is often found in the southern hilly areas. When the kiln is fired, it looks like a fire dragon swooping down, so it is named dragon kiln.
Dragon kiln firewood technology has a history of thousands of years.
The picture shows Jiang Taihua adding firewood to the firewood feeding hole of the dragon kiln.
Photo by Liu Juncong
The reporter got into the dragon kiln, and it was almost impossible to move forward in the narrow, long and dark passage. The bottom of the kiln chamber was covered with sand, and there were multiple firewood holes on both sides of the wall. The color of the flame can be observed through the small hole to judge the firing status of the ceramics in the kiln.
"Dragon kiln firewood firing technology is a test of the skills and experience of the firing craftsman. During the firing process, we need to judge the temperature of the ceramic body with the naked eye. If the firing temperature is too high or too low, it will affect the quality of the finished product." Jiang Taihua Said.
The picture shows Jiang Taihua making a ceramic body.
Wei Guozheng
The ceramic body needs to be continuously fired in the dragon kiln for three days and three nights.
Depending on the position of the green body, the atmosphere in the kiln, and the speed of the flame flow, each piece of fired ceramic can present a unique color and texture.
Jiang Taihua has worked with mud for most of his life, and he is quite talented in dragon kiln firewood skills.
After graduating from junior high school, Jiang Taihua studied porcelain firing in a ceramics factory in Caiwan Town, Quanzhou County, Guilin City, his hometown. In less than a year, he mastered the ceramic production techniques such as casting, glazing, and firing.
In 1985, Jiang Taihua came to Liucheng County, Liuzhou City for inspection, and found that the soil around Shanglei Village was very suitable for making ceramics, and the local ceramic sales market was vast.
He and his fellow countrymen opened this ceramics factory, and used traditional dragon kiln firewood techniques to fire ceramics.
The picture shows exquisite works fired by dragon kiln.
Photo by Liu Juncong
In Jiang Taihua's view, although the dragon kiln firewood firing technique has a high rate of defective products and is difficult to fire, it is good for firing large ceramic products. become a bestseller.
Today, Jiang Taihua's son and daughter have graduated from ceramics-related majors and have their own businesses in Jingdezhen.
"In the future, we plan to develop some new products with our sons and daughters to enhance the ornamental and artistic quality of ceramics, so that the firewood firing skills of dragon kilns can better meet the needs of the market." Jiang Taihua said.
(Finish)