What are the specialties of Longquan?

Longquan sword

May 20, 2006, Longquan sword forging technology approved by the State Council included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list! At present, Longquan has more than 100 sword enterprises, nearly 10,000 employees, there are more than 30 national masters and senior and intermediate title sword makers, the sword industry has become an important part of Longquan's economy. The Longquan sword produced in Longquan City is said to have been founded in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, and has a history of more than 2,600 years. The story of Ou Yezi's sword casting is widely rumored in the folklore. Longyuan is also the original name of Longquan Sword. According to the legend, when Ou Yezi drew water to quench the sword, "five-color dragon pattern" and seven stars appeared, so people called the place where the sword was forged "Longyuan" and called the sword "Seven Stars Longyuan Sword". To the Tang Dynasty to avoid the high ancestor Li Yuan taboo, it will be "abyss" word changed to "spring" word.

Traditional sword features

Longquan Treasure Sword, in the long-term development, through successive generations of casters of research, excellence, in the quality of the product has formed four major features: First, is tough and sharp; "cut copper as mud. 1978, in China's arts and crafts sector of the two national rallies, Longquan Treasure Sword production artist had a public performance. He used a Longquan sword, effortlessly stacked six copper plate split into two pieces, and the blade does not roll. Secondly, rigidity and flexibility. Ancient Longquan Baojian casting with pig iron, now with medium carbon steel casting, coupled with the quenching process is just right, so that the medium carbon steel has the characteristics of spring steel. Such as a thin sword rolled into a circle, bundled in the waist, like a skirt belt. After unraveling, the sword is as straight as ever. Third, the cold light. Longquan territory has a kind of grinding stone called "bright stone". The sword sharpened on this kind of stone is glittering with cold light. Longquan sword all rely on hand grinding, from coarse grinding, fine grinding to fine grinding, often take days or even months, once ground out, green light dazzling. Fourth, the decoration is ingenious. The sword body is engraved with seven star symbols and flying dragon patterns. Carving flowers on the sword body is also a masterpiece of Longquan sword. Sword workers do not use color pens, two do not according to the pattern, only with a steel chisel in the width of the sword body carving, carved after pouring copper water, after shoveling and grinding, flying dragon pattern, vivid natural, never disappear. Longquan sword in ancient times mostly without a sheath. Now, with the local specialty of the pear wood scabbard and hilt production. This kind of pear wood, tough texture, beautiful texture, ancient color. Then decorated with silver, copper, more so that Longquan sword icing on the cake.

Longquan Celadon

Longquan Celadon was officially inscribed on the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection List on September 30, 2009

On May 20, 2006, Longquan Celadon firing techniques were approved by the State Council to be included in the list of the first national intangible cultural heritage. At present, there have been more than 130 celadon enterprises in Longquan, employing more than 5,000 people. There are more than 130 local celadon enterprises in Longquan, employing more than 5,000 people, and 4 national celadon masters (3 Chinese masters of arts and crafts and 1 Chinese master of ceramic arts and crafts) Xu Chaoxing, Mao Zhengcong, Xiahou Wen, and Zhang Shaobin have emerged, as well as 10 provincial masters of arts and crafts and 28 senior Longquan celadon began in the Jin Dynasty. Longquan celadon began in the Jin Dynasty, the Northern Song Dynasty when the first scale, Song and Yuan into the heyday of the time, the scale of porcelain production is unprecedented, the skills of the peak of the extreme, the younger kilns in the plum green, powder green glaze reached the highest level of celadon glaze! Longquan thus become the national famous porcelain industry center, to the Qing dynasty gradually declined. After the founding of the country, under the care of Premier Zhou Enlai resumed production, Longquan celadon revitalization, once again brilliant, finally ushered in a contemporary renewal of the Southern Song Dynasty and a new peak!

There are two kinds of Longquan celadon products: one is the white tire and cinnabar tire celadon, known as "Di kiln" or "Longquan kiln", the other is the glaze is open slice of the black tire celadon, known as "Ge kiln". The other is black celadon with an open glaze, called "Ge Kiln". "Brother kiln" celadon glaze layer, glaze color green and blue, soft luster, crystal moist, like emerald. Plum green, powder green, moon white, bean green glaze, light blue, gray and yellow and other different glaze colors. "Brother Kiln" celadon to magnificent, ancient servants for the means of decoration, such as ice cracks, crab claw pattern, cow hair pattern, running water pattern, caviar pattern, meal blood pattern, a hundred trash broken and so on, coupled with its glaze layer is full, glistening and clean, known as the "purple mouth and iron feet," known as, and the glaze pattern contrasts, more Show ancient servants, elegant, Cham called porcelain treasures. Modern Longquan celadon faithfully inherited the traditional Chinese art style, on the basis of inheritance and imitation of antiquity, there are new breakthroughs, the research success of purple copper color glaze, high temperature black glaze, tiger spot color glaze, Hesse glaze, tea color glaze, wu jin glaze and celestial blue glaze and so on. Arts and crafts design and decoration, "celadon thin tire", "celadon exquisite", "celadon underglaze color", "hieroglyphic open piece "," Wenwu open piece "," blue and white combination "," Brother Di kiln combination ", etc..

Longquan celadon is known for its fine porcelain, bright and smooth lines, dignified and simple modeling, and pure and variegated color. "Green as jade, bright as a mirror, sound like a chime" of the "flower of porcelain" is worthy of the treasure of porcelain, rare and valuable. Longquan kiln celadon technology to promote the development of porcelain kilns around, from the Southern Song Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, Fujian, Guangdong coastal and Jiangxi porcelain kilns have been fired similar to Longquan celadon products! Longquan kiln celadon also has a significant impact abroad, the Song and Yuan dynasties on a large number of exports, from the southeastern coast of China from the ports, following the sea channel has been to the Indian Ocean coast of the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and the coast of East Africa! In Europe, Longquan celadon has "Seladon" (Seladon) of the name. + (or Seladon)! In the Arab countries known as the "green of the sea", the Persian philosopher Eltosi mysteriously proclaimed celadon: if the celadon tableware in the poisonous food, the green glaze will be able to play a role in becoming non-toxic; celadon fragments crushed into pieces, but also can cure dental disease, can inhibit nosebleeds. The 16th century Longquan celadon porcelain to Europe, the price and gold as expensive, the general public dare not ask for, princes and nobles to set up and for use Longquan celadon porcelain as a show of nobility. European Saxon King August II, spared no expense to buy Longquan celadon, but also specially built a palace, special collection of Chinese celadon, its neighboring Prussian King Wilhelm's consort also has a large number of porcelain collection, April 19, 1717, the two sides through diplomatic negotiations, reached an agreement, the King of Saxony 600 strong soldiers in exchange for Prussia's 127 pieces of Chinese porcelain, including Longquan celadon vase. European literature called Longquan celadon as "Sheraton", the color and charm of Longquan celadon and the European famous play "shepherdess Astaire" hero Sheraton's beautiful costumes comparable. Museums and ceramic collectors around the world regard Longquan celadon as a treasure and are proud to own it. Records of the Western trade in Chinese porcelain, "Account of the Kingdom of Portugal" book, said Longquan celadon "is the most beautiful thing invented by the people, look more lovely than all the gold, silver or crystal.

Longquan kiln development history

South Dynasty: Longquan working people take advantage of the local superior natural conditions, absorbing the Yue kiln, wu kiln, ou kiln porcelain production experience, began to burn celadon. Longquan Chatian village excavated "Yongchu yuan year" (420) grave goods in celadon "chicken head pot", "cockle pot", "lotus petal bowl "and other 8 pieces of celadon, all gray tire green and yellow glaze, Longquan celadon for the founding of the age provides a reliable example. At this time the Longquan kiln industry is not large, the operation is simple, the production is rough. Song Dynasty: the Five Dynasties to the early Northern Song Dynasty, Longquan kiln industry has begun to take shape, Dayao, Jincun, Anfu and other places have been found at the time of the kiln site 49, only Dayao (Liutian) village was found in the mid to late Northern Song Dynasty kiln site 12. Jincun kiln site for the lowest layer of the early Northern Song Dynasty products, all light green glaze celadon. The wall of the tire is thin and hard, the texture is delicate, light grayish-white. The period to firing folk porcelain, but also some of the finest porcelain was enlisted as tribute. Song dynasty Zhuang Jiyu "chicken ribs edit" said: "place state Longquan County ...... and out of blue porcelain ware, called the secret color, money tribute, cover out of this." Taiping Xingguo seven years (982) Song Emperor Taizong sent before the Palace Chengji Zhao Renji supervise Yuezhou kiln business and Longquan kiln business. Yuan? Seven years (1092) Longquan to Qingtian Daxi large-scale dredging and improvement. The development of water transportation, so that the Longquan kiln along the Daxi from the south to the east extension, for the further development of Longquan celadon industry laid the foundation. Southern Song Dynasty: the national political and economic center southward, coupled with the northern Ru kiln, Ding kiln by the war damage and Yue kiln, wu kiln, ou kiln successive decline, the Southern Song Dynasty rulers in order to solve the financial difficulties, encourage foreign trade, because of the Longquan kiln into the heyday of the stage, the emergence of a large number of new porcelain workshops, product quality continues to improve, kiln up to more than 260, all over the county border in the southern district and the eastern part of the creek along the area. The most dense kilns, product quality is optimal for the kiln, the village of gold and Chatian Creek mouth of the area, only around the village of Daiyao has been found around the kilns of the Southern Song Dynasty 28, Daiyao Village, after the soil name "official plant" ground, folk legend has it that there was a "Beijing officials" live here to supervise the manufacture of celadon. Wutongkou village to the east of the city Wuxi village has more than 40 kiln sites in the Southern Song Dynasty. At that time, Longquan celadon products were exported to domestic and foreign markets. Longquan celadon products are exported at home and abroad. Yuan Dynasty: celadon production scale continues to expand, product variety, the shape of the increase. From the South Korean Xinan shipwrecks and African excavations proved that at this time Longquan celadon export sales than the Song Dynasty increased substantially. Longquan porcelain kilns in the territory of the development of more than 330, the village of the kiln is still Longquan kiln system in the highest attainments in craftsmanship, is the pillar and backbone of the Longquan kiln; in the eastern district of the village of yuanya kiln site, also found imitation of the "brother kiln" products. From the Yuan dynasty Longquan celadon found at the site of the metropolis and Liutian (Daiyao village), Green Yat, the source of the mouth, the mouth of the Yuan dynasty kiln sites such as residual ware under the glaze incised decorations, there is the Yuan dynasty government with the text "eight Siba Wen", indicating that in addition to a large number of people's kilns, there have been part of the government or semi-government kilns, firing for the court vessels. Later, with the intensification of class conflicts and ethnic conflicts, seriously affecting the production of celadon. At the time of the celadon ware of the tire bone gradually turned thick and rough, most of the kilns in the billet after molding without good repair, glaze layer thinning, ware glaze yellowish green, modelling is not as beautiful as before. Ming and Qing dynasties: the Ming Dynasty, most of the kilns are still firing. Hongwu years, "Gegu Essentials", "Longquan kiln in today's Zhejiang Province, Longquan County, produced at the ware (celadon)." At that time for the palace, nobles with the vessels are still by "Rao (Jingdezhen), at (Lishui Longquan) and other government firing". Yongle to Xuande years, Zheng He to the West, overseas trade to promote celadon production. Zhengtong years (1436 ~ 1449) to the famous master craftsman Gu Shicheng on behalf of the works, the shape is upright, thick glaze color green, many large porcelain is still for domestic and foreign art connoisseurs collection. The number of kilns reduced to more than 160. In the early Qing Dynasty, there are few kilns left. In the middle of the Qing Dynasty, there were only 70 kilns left in Nanjiao, Cascade Cloud Boutou Village, Qingxi Sunkeng Village and other places. The products were rough and the glaze color was yellowish in green. Only Sunkeng village Fan kiln skills family tradition, insisted on firing until the early Republic of China. The Longquan celadon flower that flourished in several dynasties withered. Republic of China: In the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, Japan, Germany, the United States has been to Longquan to search for ancient celadon, followed by a large number of domestic antique dealers. As a result, on the one hand, triggered the Longquan excavation of ancient kiln sites and robbing the wind of ancient tombs; on the other hand, a group of folk porcelain artists began to develop imitation of ancient celadon. At that time, there were Liao Xianzhong from the county, Chen Zohan from Baoxi Township, Zhang Gao Li, Li Junyi and so on. In the 24th year of the Republic of China, Chen Zohan had imitated more than 70 pieces of Di Kiln products such as "Peony Bottle" and "Phoenix Ear Bottle". At this time Baoxi area folk kiln factory can imitate ancient Longquan celadon, but the number of people, backward technology, the rate of finished products is very low, the glaze is not stable.

Longquan celadon porcelain porcelain making customs

Worship ancestral masters In Longquan, the founder of the Brother Kiln and Brother Kiln, Zhang Shengyi and Zhang Shengyi are honored by the descendants as the kiln ancestral masters. In the past in the porcelain kiln, carp kiln kiln head, are posted with "master list". In addition to the Master's List, it was also dedicated to the Mountain God, the Land God, the Water Carrier, and the Water Carrier. On the second and sixteenth days of the lunar calendar, the porcelain craftsmen must buy wine, meat, tea and rice, incense and candles at the kiln in front of the Master list of sacrifices, kowtow and worship, and then share the food offerings, commonly known as "over the day". Kiln construction kiln first please Mr. Feng Shui to choose the auspicious land and auspicious day to start building kilns. When the kiln is started, it is necessary to set up sacrifices in the kiln to the gods, in order to burn good porcelain. Kiln day is strictly prohibited children, pregnant women kiln, also not allowed to pick a bucket of manure from the kiln in front of the passage, in order to prevent offending the gods, disaster in the kiln. Kiln Festival July 18 on the lunar calendar for the kiln festival, according to legend, this day is the Kiln ancestor Zhang Sheng a "kiln-formed porcelain" made of the date. At that time, the kiln makers to foam bath fasting, in the master of the incense placed on the case with the face of the pinch made of children, in the kiln before the head of the master list set up sacrifices, point incense and candles kneeling, praying for the blessing of the master burned out beautiful porcelain. Meals in the kiln Kiln workers can not talk during meals in the kiln, bowls and chopsticks can not touch the table, and can not put chopsticks on the bowl. Entering the kiln To enter the kiln, one must choose the date of three, six, nine, and offer sacrifices to the ancestor, the mountain god, and the land. During the whole process of entering the kiln, one should speak auspicious words and strictly prohibit the passage of impurities to prevent impurity from entering the kiln and affecting the kiln firing. Do kiln blessing in Longquan whether it is built porcelain kiln, tile kiln, charcoal kiln, in the kiln next to the kiln should be set up "kiln Gong". When the kiln is lit, the "kiln master" must be worshipped first, and wine and food must be prepared for the master, i.e., to make the kiln blessing.

One of the Birthplaces of Shiitake Mushroom

According to the evidence, the people of Longquan, Qingyuan and Jingning counties in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, mastered the artificially cultivated Shiitake Mushroom technology "Chopping Flower Method" as early as more than 800 years ago. It is rumored that the inventor of this technology was Wu Yu (revered as Wu Sanguo because he was the third in line) from Longyan Village, Longquan Township, Longxi Township, Longquan City in the Southern Song Dynasty. The earliest documentary record of the "cut flower method" technology is the "Longquan County Record", which was revised in 1200. After a few twists and turns, it was later transcribed by Sato Nariyu, a Japanese forester and mushroom scientist at the time, in his book "Atsutsuki", and thus the technique was spread overseas. Cultivation by Chopping Flower Method This is a technique unique to mushroom people in Longquan, Qingyuan and Jingning counties. It is called thallium eye method in Japan. Its history has been more than 800 years. Until 1970, almost all of the dried shiitake mushrooms in the whole continent were produced by mushroom farmers in these three counties, but the geographical area spreads to 11 provinces and districts in the south. The natural reproduction of spores is utilized to obtain a relatively stable product, and the essence of the technique lies in "cutting flowers". In China, it is called the "Chopping Flower" method of cultivation. In Japan, it is called the "thallium method", and in Taiwan, it is called the "knife eye method". The so-called cut flower method, that is, in the dormant period of trees, will be suitable for the production of Shiitake mushroom broad-leaved trees felled, with a special axe on both sides of the trunk of the tree to cut on the sparse, deep and shallow have strict requirements of the scar, so that the air in the Shiitake mushroom spores naturally fall into the intervals, germination of the mycelium, the growth of Shiitake mushrooms to. The technique of cutting flower is very profound, the thickness of the skin layer, the softness and hardness of the material, the different species of trees, the age of the trees, the dryness and wetness of the forest land, the strength and weakness of the air flow, the inversion of the logging and so on, there are differences in the depth of the cutting flower, sparseness and method. In terms of depth, the so-called "maple half a grain of rice, olive foreign money side", can be said to be a tiny difference and all depends on experience, that is, due to the method. Deeper, the loss of sap is too great, and the spores are difficult to colonize; shallower, the spores can not enter the formation layer; careless cutting of flowers can result in a mushroom not out. Later, in practice, the mushroom art was invented, as long as the axe is used to knock the wood mushroom yield can be increased a lot. The mushroom people mastered the secret of this art and passed it on to their daughters-in-law but not to their daughters! Mushroom people have a specific cryptic language, commonly known as "Shanliao Bai", which they always use once they enter the mushroom mountain! Therefore, China's mushroom cultivation team has long been confined to the three counties, value to the reform and opening up of mushroom cultivation from the section of wood cultivation to the full transformation of bagged mushrooms, and then to the national popularization!