Xiong Zhonggui was born in 1955 in Shuiji, the birthplace of the Song Dynasty Jian Zhan, into a family that has worked in ceramics for generations. He began learning the craft at his father's side at the age of fifteen and has spent decades mastering the art of pottery and the ancient technology of the dragon kiln firing process.

In September of 1980, the diligent and gifted Xiong Zhonggui, driven by an obsession and devotion to his hometown's Jian Zhan history and tradition, successfully fired a Jian Zhan style utilizing epsilon phase iron oxide formation in the kiln that had been lost to the world for nearly eight hundred years. With this act, he became one of the foundational modern Jian Zhan masters still working in the very birthplace of the craft.

But Xiong Zhonggui did not stop there. His heart has always belonged to the kiln. He made it his life's mission to use the dragon kiln technology he knows best. At the old Lao Long Kiln, he has steadfastly maintained for nearly half a century, using proper Jian Zhan clay and the most traditional craft to truly restore the Song Dynasty Jian Zhan tradition.

In 2008, the Japanese ceramic master Hayashi Kyosuke (林恭助) made a special journey to Shuiji to visit Xiong Zhonggui and collaborate on (Tennmokku) Jian Zhan in a dragon kiln. It can be said that Xiong Zhonggui is, to this day, the only Jian Zhan master who upholds the full traditional technique of the Song Dynasty Jian kiln method. To more broadly share his hometown's Jian Zhan culture through the old dragon kiln, in 2013 he partnered with devoted friends and, using the Shuiji kiln yard as their base, co-founded Jianyang Jiyufang Ceramics. Xiong Zhonggui took on the role of Chief Craft Artist at Jiyufang.

Today, the Jian Zhan fired in Xiong Zhonggui's dragon kiln has earned wide recognition from enthusiasts and collectors alike. His true and worthy artisan spirit has drawn the attention and coverage of numerous media outlets, both in China and abroad.

Excerpted Exhibitions and Awards:

May 2014 Black-Glazed Rabbit Hair Cup (黑釉兔毫盞) Bronze Award, 9th China (Putian) Strait Crafts Expo Outstanding Works Competition

June 2014 Rabbit Hair Pattern Tea Cup (兔毫斑紋茶盞) Collected by Jianyang City Museum

October 2014 Jian Zhan (建盞) Silver Award, "Chinese Craft Outstanding Works Award," 7th Cross-Strait (Xiamen) Cultural Industry Expo

January 2015 Wood-Fired Yellow Rabbit Hair Deep Conical Restrict-Mouth Cup (柴燒黄兔毫深鬥束口盞) Gold Award, Bocheng Award, 1st Shanghai Hongqiao Antiques Exhibition hosted by Jianyang Jian Kiln Jian Zhan Shanghai Association

March 2015 Yellow Rabbit Hair Restrict-Mouth Deep Conical Cup (黄兔毫束口深鬥盞) Silver Award for Arts & Crafts, 31st Beijing International Gifts & Crafts Exhibition

March 2015 Yellow Rabbit Hair Deep Belly Flared-Mouth Cup (黄兔毫深腹大撇口盞) Gold Award for Arts & Crafts, 31st Beijing International Gifts & Crafts Exhibition

August 2015 Wood-Fired Jian Zhan (柴燒建盞) Permanently collected by Jianyang District Cultural Center

September 2015 Imperial Rabbit Hair Cup (供禦兔毫盞) Gold Award, 9th China (Hefei) International Cultural Expo & 2015 China Arts & Crafts Fine Works Expo

November 2015 Yellow Rabbit Hair Conical Cup (黄兔毫鬥笠盞) Chinese Craft Fine Works Award, 8th Cross-Strait (Xiamen) Cultural Industry Expo

November 2015 Imperial Cup - Yellow Rabbit Hair (供禦盞·黄兔毫) Bronze Award, Chinese Craft Fine Works Award, 8th Cross-Strait (Xiamen) Cultural Industry Expo

November 2015 Brown-Purple Conical Cup (褐紫色鬥笠盞) Bamin Award (八閩獎), Chinese Craft Fine Works, 8th Cross-Strait (Xiamen) Cultural Industry Expo

May 2016 Old Dragon Kiln Wood-Fired Jian Zhan (老龍窑柴燒建盞) Collected by Xiamen City Museum

June 2016 Accredited as Member Unit of Fujian Province Quality Culture Promotion Association

September 2016 Xiong Zhonggui named one of the Top Ten Craftsmen of Jian Kiln Jian Zhan

Jiufang sits at Yangmei Shanping (楊梅山坪) in Renshan Village, Shuiji Town, Jianyang, covering eight hectares of land. The kiln yard was first built in November 1969 and has endured nearly half a century of seasons and firings: an old kiln yard with deep roots. 

The site holds one dragon kiln dedicated exclusively to firing Jian Zhan, and one long compartment kiln for firing pottery vats. The kiln is equipped with a large old-style pottery workshop shed, an experience area for visitors, an exhibition hall, and a cultural exchange room.

The Jian Zhan fired at Jiyufang uses natural mineral glaze and pottery clay for the body, both rich in iron oxide. The production process follows the ancient method from beginning to end: hand-throwing on the wheel, trimming and shaping, a single dip of glaze, natural air drying, and completion in the dragon kiln by wood firing.

Jiyufang is the only kiln in the world that comprehensively upholds the Song Dynasty Jian Zhan craft in every dimension. Their work carries value for daily use and handling, and for collecting, objects worthy of being passed down for generations.

Learn more about the Jiyufang Lao Long Yao and Master Xiong's research with our deep-dive article and interviews >>