Traditional Techniques

Basic Introduction to Tubao PotteryThe pottery factory in Guanyao Town, Qichun County, known historically as “Kiln State,” was established in the second year of Hongwu during the Ming Dynasty (1369). For over 600 years, it has continued unique traditional techniques such as hand-thrown molding, hand-painted decoration, and earth dragon kiln firing. This produces more than 100 types of ceramic goods including jars, stoves, pots, vats, and teapots that are both practically useful and artistically collectible. These products are popular across 16 provinces and municipalities, 74 regions, and six countries, making Qichun County one of the oldest and most famous pottery-producing areas in Hubei Province.Historically, the manual pottery production in Guanyao was mainly distributed around Chi West Lake, with villagers in each town mostly engaged in pottery-making, naming their kilns after their surnames: Xiao Family Kiln, Hong Family Kiln, Shen Family Kiln, Cao Family Kiln, Wang Family Kiln, Wan Family Kiln, Lu Kiln, Li Kiln, and Guan Family Kiln, among more than a hundred other pottery workshops. The clay used for Guanyao pottery is taken from the shores of Chi West Lake, specifically the loess clay that has settled at the bottom of the lake. This clay can be divided into…