Inheriting the Millennia of Kiln Fire
Exploring Jun Porcelain Culture
Review of the Summer Rural Practice Activity
Inheriting the Millennia of Kiln Fire, Exploring Jun Porcelain Culture
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The kiln fire illuminates the past and present, the artisan’s heart shapes the universe, exquisite products are forged through countless trials, and the cultural lineage is carried on by the youth. To inherit the cultural roots, fulfill social responsibilities, and enhance the youth’s awareness of protecting and inheriting intangible cultural heritage, from July 28 to 30, 2025, the “Kiln Fire Artisan” team from the IoT and Communication College of Henan University of Economics and Trade conducted a social practice activity in Shenhui Town, the “Capital of Jun Porcelain” in Yuzhou. The team adopted a three-pronged approach of “intangible heritage inheritance + industry research + safety empowerment,” completing a cross-temporal dialogue with Jun porcelain amidst the echoes of mud and fire, and writing a three-dimensional annotation of “culture + industry + governance” for rural revitalization.
From Wheel Throwing to the Spirit Coordinates of “Great National Craftsmen”
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In the studio of Jun porcelain master Wang Xianfeng, facing the students from Henan University of Economics and Trade, Master Wang explained the millennia-old charm of Jun porcelain with the theme of “Upholding Integrity and Innovation, Cultural Confidence,” revealing the mystery of Jun porcelain’s “one color in the kiln, myriad colors out of the kiln,” which is a microcosm of the inclusive nature of Chinese culture. On the display racks in the master’s studio, pieces of Jun porcelain glisten like stars. The charm exhibited is a vivid portrayal of the master’s adherence to integrity and innovation, and his unique style over more than 30 years of practice. The flawless works deeply impressed the team members, making them realize that the spirit of craftsmanship allows no room for error, and they truly understood the master’s dedication to “devoting a lifetime to one craft.” The master encouraged the students to continuously strengthen their cultural confidence and share the stories of Jun porcelain with the world. At the second stop, the team delved into the ancient streets of Shenhui for a wheel throwing experience. On the spinning pottery wheel, sweat soaked the team members’ clothes, and the clay pieces collapsed multiple times under their fingers, yet in the hands of the artisans, they were tamed into smooth curves. The artisans’ hands are the marks of their thirty years of dialogue with the earth; cultural inheritance is similar, requiring both skill and passion.
One Porcelain, One Industry: Value Reconstruction from “Antiques” to “National Trend”
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The Yuzhou Museum became the third stop for the team to explore the cultural lineage of Jun porcelain, revealing a path of industrial upgrading that spans a millennium. From the primitive celadon of the Xia and Shang dynasties to the exquisite official porcelain of the Song dynasty, and to modern innovative works, each exhibit connects the development of Jun porcelain. In the “Kiln Change” exhibition area, everyone paused for a long time, watching different glaze colors flow under the light, as if witnessing the miracles of kiln fire from a thousand years ago, touching the long-standing roots of pottery-making techniques in the Central Plains. Team members expressed that “Jun porcelain is a living cultural inheritance.” In the interactive experience area of the museum’s research and study center, team members learned about the museum’s “theory + experience” three-dimensional teaching model, which is the core support for Yuzhou to build a “national research and study tourism destination.” In the cultural and creative product display area, team members saw a series of well-designed artisan products. Through the team’s research and investigation, data showed that Yuzhou has over 200 Jun porcelain enterprises with an annual output value of 2.6 billion yuan; Shenhui Ancient Town has developed 18 provincial-level research and study bases, created over 200 courses, and receives more than 6,000 research and study teams and 400,000 visitors annually. Traditional skills are gaining vibrant vitality through educational inheritance, completing a significant leap from cultural symbols to industrial IP.
One Town, One Safety: When Millennia of Kiln Fire Meets “Flame Blue”
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The final stop of the practice was the Shenhui Fire Rescue Station in Yuzhou. Here, safeguarding the ancient town’s safety is akin to preserving the flame of a thousand-year civilization, where the “extreme spirit” of Jun porcelain artisans resonates with the “guarding spirit” of firefighters. The firing of Jun porcelain requires precise control of kiln temperature, and firefighting work also demands professional skills to the second. Firefighters stated, “A slight error in temperature control can lead to a thousand miles of difference in kiln change, and fire scene rescue allows for no mistakes at all.” Subsequently, under the guidance of firefighters, the team visited and learned about various firefighting facilities in the station, such as combat uniforms, hydraulic cutters, and water guns. Entering the firefighters’ dormitory, the sharply defined “tofu block” bedding shocked the students, and firefighters shared that “internal affairs are like throwing porcelain; if the heart is unsettled, the shape collapses.” With the understanding that “discipline is the foundation of safety, and details are the glaze of peace,” the team entered Shenhui Town to conduct fire safety and anti-fraud publicity. Team members distributed flyers to villagers, explained cases, and used simple language to popularize knowledge, reminding residents to always remember not to scan unfamiliar QR codes, click on unknown links, or download unfamiliar software. This practice made team members realize that the responsibility of youth lies not only in cultural inheritance but also in giving back to society and safeguarding peace in their community.
The three-day social practice itinerary has concluded. From touching the warmth of porcelain clay to sensing the pulse of the industry, from listening to the echoes of history to practicing social responsibility, in this hot summer, the students of the IoT and Communication College encountered an ancient craft, allowing the spirit of craftsmanship to flow in their youthful veins and cultural inheritance to take root in practical actions. In the future, the IoT and Communication College will continue to guide students to measure the path of inheritance with their steps, interpret youth responsibility through action, and convey the spirit of “the kiln fire never extinguishes, and the artisan heart endures forever.”
Layout: Hu Yapeng
Review: Fu Ruochong
