The Soul of Ru Kiln

In the fifth year of the Xuanhe era, Emperor Huizong of Song ordered the Ruzhou kilns to produce a batch of Ru porcelain in a clear, sky-blue hue, to celebrate the recapture of Yanjing. He did so without regard for a nation ravaged by poverty and overrun with bandits. After many failures, the kiln workers of Ruzhou finally succeeded in producing porcelain of that clear, sky-blue color. But Jin troops had already reached the Song borders. During the Jingkang era, Emperors Huizong and Qinzong were captured. Chen Shouren, an official overseeing the kilns, remained loyal to his country and headed north with his son, while his second son, Huainan, went south to preserve the family line. The northern branch struggled to survive, but continued to protect the art of firing porcelain. The southern branch guarded the secret formula for Ru ware with utmost care. Descendants of the northern and southern branches of the Lin family eventually reunited and returned to Ruzhou. Using Ruzhou’s clay and water, they fired Ru ware for households throughout the land, joining together to protect the spirit of Ru porcelain! The “soul of porcelain” is the “soul of the nation.” The “clear blue after the clouds part” of Ru porcelain is not merely a pursuit of beautiful glaze, but the ultimate hope, after a land is shattered, for clear skies after rain, peace, and prosperity. This kiln fire bakes the clay, tempers the artisan’s heart, and safeguards the undying soul of civilization.