Picking up where we left off, reviving the lost art.
Unravel the mysteries of the ages and establish new norms for the present day.
This is not merely a display of ingenuity, but a means of demonstrating the truth.
[ Highlights of Intangible Cultural Heritage ]
Jiancun has made it its mission to “revive lost arts and carry on the legacy of civilization,”
Manage the workshop; draw on academic expertise.
All four endangered ancient practices have been revived,
Thus, he filled the gap in the industry.
Forged and Welded Steel
Tracing its origins back to the Warring States period, it reached its peak during the Wei and Jin dynasties.
Fold repeatedly, twist and join, to refine and clarify.
The cross-section has a fine, dense grain pattern,
Recreating the defining features of ancient high-end bladed weapons.
Ancient Uzbek Steel
Reviving the traditional crucible smelting process,
Precise temperature control.
The Damascus Snowflake Pattern from the Persian Legends Collection,
Reborn in the Eastern furnace.
Steel Casting Process
Following the method of “refining through the union of the raw and the refined” from the late Han dynasty,
Combine annealing and quenching to remove impurities through carburization.
Reviving China’s unique steel-making techniques, which led the world for a thousand years.
Shintetsu Kenmura
Combining the Han-dynasty vertical furnace iron smelting technique with the re-melting and composite forging and casting of ancient weapons,
Overcoming the challenges of fusing dissimilar materials,
Tempered yet warm; stern on the outside, gentle on the inside.
The revival of these Four Arts does not mean blindly clinging to the past,
Therefore, using modern materials science,
Provides conclusive evidence of China’s ancient metallurgical civilization.
Decoding Craftsmanship
Strictly adhere to the ancient sequence of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, without the slightest deviation
Handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces; the form must be authentic to the era to be considered genuine.
Sword Village: Ten Preludes to Sword Forging
Longquan Forged Steel, one of the first items designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Jiancun strictly adheres to the principle of handcrafted production,
Rejecting mass production to create one-of-a-kind pieces.
[Ten Core Steps, in Accordance with the Dharma and the Vinaya]
Selection of Materials: Carefully selecting iron ore, distinguishing between natural and smelted iron, and sourcing only the finest materials.
Traditional Smelting: Erecting the furnace, pouring the steel—returning to our roots.
Folding Forging: Forged through countless hammer blows, refining the metal to remove impurities and reveal its natural beauty, creating a unique forged pattern.
Roll-welding: Twist-cut butt joint—a perfect blend of rigidity and flexibility.
Design and Refinement: By examining the practices of the Han and Tang dynasties, we established standards for the curvature.
Coating the Blade with Soil and Tempering It: Apply the secret soil, control the quenching zone, and make the blade hard while keeping the body supple.
Precision Polishing: From coarse to fine, revealing a flawless finish.
Carvings on the ceremonial regalia: gold, silver, copper, and iron—the carvings are everywhere, exuding a dignified and solemn aura.
Gilded and Inlaid Silver: Gilded and openwork silver—luxurious and elegantly antique.
Handle Rope Tying: A traditional wrapping method that ensures a secure and snug fit.
Tao Ye: Eight Sequences on Tian Tie Porcelain
Longquan Celadon, the world’s first ceramic-related item inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
If one does not adhere to conventional norms, one can overcome the difference in melting points between iron and clay,
By blending celestial elements into a thick, jade-like glaze, we open up new horizons in porcelain.
[The Eight Precepts are strict and must not be omitted]
Collecting and Preparing Clay: Harvest Zijing porcelain stone and wash it thoroughly to remove impurities.
Knead, press, and pull to clear blockages and dispel stagnation, allowing stardust and iron sand to sink into the earth and bones.
Shaping the clay: Turn the potter's wheel, guided by the artist's intuition.
The form is dignified, the lines flow gracefully—it is truly one of a kind.
The Ultimate Tool for Shaping Clay: A bamboo-and-iron knife for rough shaping and fine carving.
The thickness is uniform, down to the last millimeter.
Carving and Engraving: Deep carvings and shallow engravings, the chisel moves with the grace of a dragon or a snake.
Exposed wood and exposed beams bring out the ancient charm.
Underglaze firing: Fired at a low temperature to remove moisture and strengthen the piece.
Seals the pores in the green body, laying the foundation for glazing.
Melting Iron and Applying Glaze:
The Spirit of Jiancun’s Ancient Sword-Forging Traditions.
Secret glaze recipe, unique blend.
Shards of celestial iron, forged a thousand times, are blended with traditional blue glaze.
Refined layer by layer, glazed time and again,
After repeating the process four to ten times, a layer several millimeters thick is formed,
Eventually, it takes on a quality as smooth and lustrous as jade.
Loading the Kiln:
Place a cushion between the flame and the object to protect its shape; seal the crucible to keep it dust-free and ensure its purity.
The kiln site was carefully assessed, down to the last detail; kiln ash was avoided, leaving not a speck of dust.
Following ancient traditions and mastering the art of fire control, once the kiln door is closed, we wait patiently for nature to take its course.
High-Temperature Reduction:
Quenched at 1,300 degrees, the iron and glaze blend and interact,
The stars flickered like the Milky Way as it flowed across the sky.
This temperature curve was refined through thousands of furnace tests—
Every degree of rise or fall is a key
Creating the unique and magnificent beauty of Tian Tie Ci.