Firing poetry into precious porcelain

Among Liu's collection are ewers inscribed with various ancient poems that have been preserved under the glaze. Those verses run the gamut of human emotions, from romance to sorrow and reflection.

"Over 160 poems have been discovered on Changsha kiln wares, a record of the Tang merchants' journeys," he explains.

Huang Haofu has also explored the modern expressions of this poetry. His recent teaware features verses carved inside, only revealed when used.

"The traveler returns from a thousand miles away, peace found in a single cup of tea" — is a line hidden at the bottom of a cup, faintly visible when tea is poured.

"I don't want to be too direct. Good art should be subtle, leaving room for imagination."

Over a decade ago, Liu, the sixth-generation heir to a Tongguan kiln ceramic family, faced a choice. The old town was fading, traditional skills were ignored, and many peers were changing trades.

The turning point came when Wangcheng launched a "two riverbanks" strategy, revitalizing the entire kiln area based on the principle "repair the old as old, build the new as if ancient".

In 2024, the Changsha Tongguan Kiln Cultural Tourism Resort achieved national-level status, one of only four in the province.

"Now we have dedicated staff, mechanisms, funding, and museums, all making up a complete, integrated system," Chen Kuang says.

A "short drama plus cultural tourism" model has also been applied, further drawing more visitors to the area, Chen observes. After a series featuring local kilns was broadcast, a sweet rice wine shop on the old street saw daily sales rocket from 20 bowls to over 200, she shares.

As local authorities upgraded Tongguan Old Street to attract visitors, Liu seized the opportunity, transforming his workshop into an experience center.

Today, his workshop is celebrated as one of the old street's most complete traditional handcrafting studios. His workspace resembles a living museum. Ceramics from the Han (206 BC-AD 220) to Qing (1644-1911) dynasties line the shelves, charting the kiln's evolution.