China's porcelain capital nurtures dreams of global youth

INHERITANCE OF CRAFTSMANSHIP SPIRIT

In his studio at the Sanbao International Ceramics Village of Jingdezhen, artisan Zhan Shaolin imparts his knowledge of wheel throwing to his students, demonstrating the art of shaping and forming clay on the potter's wheel. Among his students, the youngest is only 16 years old.

To make this traditional craft accessible to a wider audience beyond the city limits, Zhan has also ventured into online teaching.

"The essence of ceramic culture inheritance lies in passing down the spirit of craftsmanship," said Zhan, a dedicated practitioner of wheel throwing for three decades. He is heartened by the increasing number of young people who exhibit a keen interest in becoming inheritors of this time-honored cultural legacy.

Tan Ruijiang, a 23-year-old industrial arts major, embarked on a journey from his hometown in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region to Jingdezhen, where he apprenticed under Zhan.

After four months of immersive learning, Tan's resolve to stay has strengthened. "I was deeply inspired by the master who dedicated half of his life to mastering this craft. I, too, aspire to pursue excellence in ceramics like him and fulfill my own life's purpose."

To propagate and foster Chinese ceramic culture, Jingdezhen has forged friendly relations with over 180 cities in 72 countries and regions worldwide, facilitating numerous ceramic-themed exchanges and research activities.

Collaborating with several institutions such as Peking University and the Palace Museum, the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Institute has built a "gene bank" of ancient ceramics, based on data accumulated over 40 years, incorporating nearly 20 million ceramic specimens.

Over a hundred pieces of "gene" information, such as glaze, pigment, and craftsmanship, can be traced through just one piece of ancient ceramic shard, said Weng Yanjun, president of the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Institute.

"By utilizing digital techniques, we can delve into the details of historical ceramic production techniques and gain insights into the cultural and social contexts in which these ceramics were created," said Weng. "We can also reconstruct and visualize the lifestyles, customs, and artistic expressions of the ancient times."

The gene bank also aims to share the data with academic institutions at home and abroad, promote research projects on global ceramic civilization, and build an international platform for the exchange of ceramic culture, he added.