Overseas Friends Experience Charm of Tongguan Kiln

Two foreign friends take photos at the Tongguan Kiln of Changsha National Archaeological Park.

Foreign friends learn to make ceramics works at a pottery workshop.

On the afternoon of Oct. 17, over eighty foreigners living in Changsha visited Tongguan Kiln of Changsha National Archaeological Park at the Tongguan Town of Changsha City. They were amazed by the ceramics exhibition so that they tried to make one by themselves in a nearby pottery base, Mr. Liu Clay Figure workshop to experience the authentic charm of Changsha Tongguan Kiln.

Further reading:

The Tongguan Kiln of Changsha (Changsha Kiln or Tongguan Kiln) was one of the most famous ancient kilns, during the period between the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and Five Dynasties (907-960). It is well known for creating the first red glaze and colorful underglaze in its porcelain. It was also the first kiln to decorate its porcelain with more than just artwork. Its decorations came to include elements such as poems, proses, advertisements, inscriptions, characters, flowers and birds. During the Tang Dynasty, these products found their way to over 29 different countries and regions. For the reason, it remains one of the greatest contributors to the spread of Chinese ceramic culture.

The pottery comes in a large variety, and is both exquisitely shaped and practical. The pieces are decorated with green-colored patterns depicting human figures, animals, plants and natural landscapes and reflecting the masterly crafts of pottery making from the Tang period. Moreover, most of the items have inscribed poems or other scripts -- an important feature of the pieces unearthed at the Tongguan Kiln Site.