Longquan

The history of Longquan is a tale of craftsmanship, art, and strategic importance that stretches back through the ages. The city, whose name translates as "Dragon Spring," has for many centuries been one of China's most significant cultural and craft centers.

Foundation and Early Mentions

The first administrative mentions of this area date back to the Tang Dynasty. In 759 AD, Longquan County was officially formed. According to sources, it received its name even earlier, in 620 AD, when it was renamed from Longyuan ("Dragon's Abyss") to Longquan ("Dragon's Spring") to avoid using a character from the reigning emperor's name.

Key Factors of Development

The city owes its growth and prosperity to several key factors:

• Geographic Location: Situated in the southwest of Zhejiang Province, on the border with Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, Longquan sat at the crossroads of important trade routes.
• Trade: Exports were the primary economic driver. Products from local kilns, especially the famous celadon, were in high demand. Longquan's wares were a vital part of the maritime trade known as the "Maritime Silk Road."

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Since ancient times, Longquan has been world-renowned for two unique crafts:

• Celadon Production: The city is rightfully called the "Capital of Chinese Celadon." This art originated here over 1,600 years ago and reached its peak during the Song Dynasty (both Northern and Southern). Local kilns were among the five great kilns of the Song Dynasty, and the unique ceramic firing technology is now recognized as a UNESCO World Intangible Heritage.
• Sword Making: Weapon-making traditions in Longquan date back more than 2,500 years, tracing their roots to the legendary master Ou Yezi. Longquan swords were prized for their quality and craftsmanship, earning the city the reputation of the "Sword City of China."

Key Dates in the History of Longquan

Longquan, known as the capital of Chinese celadon and the birthplace of legendary swords, has a rich history marked by centuries of craftsmanship and cultural influence. Here are the main milestones of its development.

• Spring and Autumn Period (771–476 BC): According to legend, it was during this time that the legendary master Ou Yezi established the art of sword forging here, laying the foundation for a centuries-old tradition.
• Three Kingdoms Period and Jin Dynasty (220–420 AD): Celadon production begins—a unique ceramic with a greenish glaze that would later make Longquan famous throughout the world.
• 620 AD: The area is named Longquan ("Dragon Spring") to avoid an imperial naming taboo involving a character from the Tang emperor's name.
• 759 AD: Longquan County is officially established during the Tang Dynasty, marking an important administrative milestone.
• Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127): Celadon production in Longquan gains momentum and becomes highly recognizable.
• Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279): The "golden age" of Longquan ceramics begins. Workshops reach the peak of their skill, creating pieces of unsurpassed quality, such as celadon with "fenqing" (powder green) and "meiziqing" (plum green) glazes.
• Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368): Longquan kilns continue to flourish, and their products become key commodities on the Maritime Silk Road, being exported to Asia, Africa, and Europe. During this period, about 350 kilns operate in the city's vicinity.
• Ming Dynasty (1368–1644): Due to state bans on maritime trade, celadon production begins to gradually decline.
• 18th Century: The production of traditional celadon in Longquan practically ceases.
• 1957: The Chinese government issues a decree to revive the famous celadon production, initiating the modern stage of this ancient craft's history.
• 2006: Sword-forging technology and traditional celadon firing methods are included in the first list of China's national intangible cultural heritage.
• 2009: The traditional firing technique of Longquan celadon is inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The development of Longquan is a story of how a small county town grew into a world center of craftsmanship, survived centuries of prosperity and decline, and managed to revive its heritage in the modern era. Key transformations in its history have been closely tied to the production of celadon and swords.

Key Stages of the City's Development

• The Birth of a Craft Identity (3rd–6th centuries): During this period, the foundation for the city's future fame was laid. The production of celadon—a unique ceramic with a greenish glaze—began, and sword-forging traditions dating back to the legendary master Ou Yezi were developed. These two crafts defined Longquan's cultural and economic trajectory for centuries to come.
• Administrative Establishment (759 AD): During the Tang Dynasty, Longquan County was officially established. This move secured the city's status as an important administrative center, facilitating its urban and social development.
• The "Golden Age" and Global Influence (11th–14th centuries): Under the Song and Yuan dynasties, the skill of local potters reached its peak. Longquan became one of the world's largest porcelain production centers, and its products were a key export on the Maritime Silk Road, supplied to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. This economic boom led to significant population growth and city prosperity.
• Economic Decline (15th–18th centuries): With the rise of the Ming Dynasty and the imposition of maritime trade bans, celadon production—which was export-oriented—began to fade rapidly. By the 18th century, the unique technologies were almost entirely lost, leading to prolonged economic stagnation.
• Revival of Heritage (1957): The Chinese government initiated a program to revive the production of Longquan celadon. This moment was a turning point in the city's modern history, marking the start of restoring ancient techniques, opening new workshops, and returning Longquan to the global stage as a cultural center.
• Global Recognition (2006–2009): Sword-making techniques and celadon firing methods were included in China's national list of intangible cultural heritage, and later in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This strengthened Longquan's global brand, stimulated cultural tourism, and confirmed its unique contribution to world civilization.

The architectural character of Longquan was shaped not by imperial status, but by its centuries-old role as China’s leading craft center. The city's urban development was driven by the needs of potters and blacksmiths; thus, while following the general styles of the dynasties, its architecture possesses a distinct industrial character. In 2017, the State Council of the PRC designated Longquan as a National Historical and Cultural City, recognizing its unique heritage.

The Heyday of the Song and Yuan Dynasties (10th–14th centuries)

During Longquan's "golden age" under the Song and Yuan dynasties, urban architecture followed the canons of the time. The Song style was characterized by graceful wooden structures, complex bracket systems (dougong), and elegantly curved rooflines. However, the defining urban feature of Longquan was not its palaces, but its hundreds of pottery kilns. These massive structures, known as "dragon kilns," were built on hillsides along rivers, forming extensive production zones. Residential quarters for craftsmen and merchants grew around them, creating a unique urban landscape where craft and daily life were inseparable.

The Ming and Qing Dynasties (14th–19th centuries)

With the decline of celadon exports during the Ming era, economic activity in the city slowed, which was reflected in its construction. Architecture in China during this period generally became more austere and regulated, emphasizing sturdy brick walls, enclosed courtyards, and monumental defensive structures. In Longquan, this likely manifested as the reconstruction of existing neighborhoods and a smaller scale of new construction. The focus shifted from expansion to maintaining the urban structure established in previous centuries.

Modern Appearance and Heritage Preservation

Today, one can find districts in Longquan that recreate the atmosphere of the old city, featuring traditional buildings adorned with tiled roofs and wooden elements. However, the primary architectural heritage is recognized not so much in individual buildings, but in the archaeological sites themselves—the ancient ceramic kilns. These sites, along with modern structures such as the Longquan Celadon Museum, define the city's look, where ancient traditions and modernity exist side by side. The urban development of Longquan is a unique example of how industrial specialization shaped the historical appearance and spirit of an entire city.

Notable Figures of Longquan

The history of Longquan is inextricably linked to the names of legendary and real masters whose art made this city famous worldwide. Over the centuries, outstanding blacksmiths and potters lived and worked here, and their traditions are continued by their successors today.

Ou Yezi

• Role: Legendary master swordsmith.
• Era: Spring and Autumn Period (771–476 BC).
• Significance: Considered the founder of the art of sword-forging in Ancient China and specifically in Longquan. According to legend, it was he who first created a famous sword here, establishing the city's centuries-old weapon-making tradition.

The Zhang Brothers (Zhang Shengyi and Zhang Shenger)

• Role: Master ceramicists.
• Era: Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279).
• Significance: Legend speaks of two potter brothers who defined the two main branches of Longquan celadon. The elder brother, Zhang Shengyi, created pieces with a characteristic crackled glaze, known as "Ge yao" ("Elder Brother's ware"). The younger, Zhang Shenger, developed pieces with a smooth, pure jade-like glaze known as "Di yao" ("Younger Brother's ware"), which are considered classics of Longquan craftsmanship.

Li Huaide

• Role: 20th-century celadon master.
• Era: 20th century.
• Significance: A key figure in reviving Longquan celadon traditions after 1957. As a mentor, he passed his knowledge and skills to a new generation of ceramic artists, including Xu Chaoxing.

Xu Chaoxing

• Role: Celadon master, National Arts and Crafts Master.
• Era: Modern day (born 1943).
• Significance: One of the most famous contemporary masters, recognized at the state level as a keeper of intangible cultural heritage. His works have been presented as state gifts, including to the US White House. Xu Chaoxing is known for his innovations, particularly in creating pieces that combine the Ge yao and Di yao styles.

Shen Xinpei

• Role: Master swordsmith.
• Era: Modern day.
• Significance: Owner of the historic "Shen Guanglong" sword workshop, founded over 130 years ago. His workshop was officially designated as a guardian of the traditional Longquan sword-forging technique, and Shen Xinpei himself was named its representative successor.