New Vitality Injected to Ancient Jun Porcelain in Shenhou Town, Henan

New Vitality Injected to Ancient Jun Porcelain in Shenhou Town, Henan

河南神垕镇：古老钧瓷焕发全新活力

“My grandparents worked in a Jun porcelain factory in Shenhou, and I’m also back here now to not only inherit the Jun porcelain-making skills, but also the profound tradition of my hometown.” Located in Yuzhou city (a county-level city) of Henan province, Shenhou town is home to Jun porcelains. 30-year-old Wu Shuangke told us the story of her own business in Shenhou.

“我家祖辈就在这里的钧瓷老厂工作，我现在也回乡继承祖辈的手艺，传承家乡文化。”在被誉为“中国钧瓷之都”的河南省禹州市神垕镇，30岁的武双珂向记者讲起自己回乡创业的故事。

Jun porcelain, one of the top five porcelains in Song Dynasty. [Photo/Information Office of Henan Provincial People's Government]

After working for years following her graduation from Shenhou Ceramic Academy, Wu Shuangke was not satisfied with her work in the small town and yearned for a job in a big city. So, she went to Beijing as a saleswoman in 2010. Recently Chinese traditional culture has drew more and more attention, Shenhou has enjoyed a rapid development relying on Jun porcelain. “As people become more interested in porcelains, my friends often ask me about Jun porcelain after knowing that I’m a native of Shenhou, but I can’t answer their questions completely...” said Wu Shuangke. Finally, she decided to return back to her hometown, learn and develop Jun porcelain-making skills as her own business.

从神垕陶瓷学院毕业后，武双珂并不满足在小镇工作，总想出去看看。2010年，她只身来到北京做销售。近年来，随着传统文化日益热起来，神垕古镇依托钧瓷快速发展，知名度越来越高。“身边对瓷器感兴趣的人越来越多，得知我就是神垕人之后，经常有朋友向我咨询钧瓷的各种知识，但我却解答不了大家的问题……”提起往事，武双珂有些惭愧。最终，武双珂选择回乡创业，并重新学习制瓷工艺。

Jun porcelain, one of the top five porcelains in Song Dynasty. [Photo/Information Office of Henan Provincial People's Government]

Last year, Wu Shuangke and her friends rent a store at the downtown as her Jun porcelain production studio, ready for a new day’s business. “We integrate modern art techniques and ideas into Jun porcelain production, and bring them to more people’s lives through Internet live streaming and other ways.” Wu Shuangke said their innovations are mainly reflected in styles, colors and fineness. Besides, they has opened online stores for sales and exhibitions.

去年，武双珂和11个朋友共同租下神垕老街上的一家门店作为工作室，开启了创业之路。“我们将现代美术技巧和构思融入钧瓷创作中，并且通过互联网直播等途径，将钧瓷带入更多人的生活中。”武双珂告诉记者，创新主要表现在使钧瓷的造型更加多样、色彩更加丰富、精细度更高，而且他们在淘宝等线上销售平台都开了店，还在抖音等视频平台上展示精选的钧瓷作品。

“During last year’s Labor Day holiday, Shenhou received 70,000 visitors on a single day at its peak, and our sales reached nearly 100,000 yuan. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic this year, our online stores run as usual with good business performance.” She told the reporter.

“去年‘五一’假期，游客最多时一天可达7万人，门店销售额将近10万元。今年虽受到疫情影响，但网店正常营业，生意还不错。”武双珂说。

Jun porcelain, one of the top five porcelains in Song Dynasty. [Photo/Information Office of Henan Provincial People's Government]

In recent years, local government has invested a total of 5 billion yuan for comprehensive tourism development of Shenhou ancient town, and protective development of Shenhou ancient street with modern planning concept. Shenhou town was selected into the first batch of Small Towns with Chinese Characteristics in Ocotber 2016, the National Economically-developed Towns in October 2018, and on the public list of the first batch of provincial “Beautiful Towns” on June 2, 2020.

近年来，当地政府启动总投资50亿元的神垕古镇综合旅游开发项目，结合现代规划理念，对神垕老街实行保护性开发。2016年10月份，神垕镇入选第一批中国特色小镇，2018年10月份入选国家级经济发达镇，2020年6月2日入选第一批省级“美丽小镇”公示名单。

Relying on Jun porcelain, Shenhou has been listed into the Small Towns with Chinese Characteristics and its people have been “well on track” to a well-off life. To date, there are 200 Jun porcelain making-related enterprises in Shenhou, with an annual output of 2 million Jun porcelain pieces and an annual sales revenue of more than 1.2 billion yuan. “A well-off life means striving to live a good life for yourself and your family.” When asking about her idas on well-off life, Wu Shuangke said frankly, she hopes to inject new vitality into the ancient Jun porcelain with the makers of her generation.

神垕镇凭借钧瓷入选了国家特色小镇，群众也因钧瓷走向了小康生活。目前，全镇有钧瓷企业超200家，年产钧瓷200万件，年销售收入逾12亿元。“小康生活就是通过奋斗让自己和家人过上好日子。”问及她眼中的小康生活，武双珂坦言，希望通过自己这代人的双手，让古老的钧瓷焕发出新活力。（中文来源/经济日报 翻译/赵汉青 审校/李文竞）