Yulin Ting Kiln Site

　　The Yulin Ting Kiln Site is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient kiln sites from the Song Dynasty in China. It is situated in Yulin Ting, approximately 5 kilometers north of Xingcun Town, Wuyishan City, adjacent to the picturesque Lotus Peak, covering an area of nearly 60,000 square meters. A small stream flows from south to north through the site, along which lie six small hills piled with tens of thousands of saggers and bowl pads, some as deep as 3–5 meters. Surrounded by layered mountains, the area features a stream that flows into the Chongyang Stream, with ancient paths leading to downtown Wuyishan City. The waste kiln deposits are distributed across eight hills from south to north, spanning an area of about 60,000 square meters, with deposit layers ranging from 1 to 5 meters thick. The kiln was discovered in 1959 and has been re-examined multiple times since. Parts of it have been damaged, but most of it remains well-preserved.

　　After being discovered during the 1958 national cultural relics survey, it was designated as one of the first batch of key cultural heritage protection units in Fujian Province by the Fujian Provincial People's Government in May 1961. Within the excavated area, two semi-subterranean, flat-flame sloping dragon kilns from the Song Dynasty were unearthed and cleared—one measuring 73.2 meters long and the other as long as 113.1 meters. Both kiln bases are 2 meters wide. This makes it one of the largest and best-preserved ancient kiln sites from the Song Dynasty in China. The excavation yielded a large number of black-glazed and celadon-glazed porcelain artifacts and kiln tool samples from the Song Dynasty. The findings indicate that the Yulin Ting Kiln Site primarily produced tea utensils, especially "tea bowls," with a mix of refined and coarse products and concurrent firing of both black-glazed and celadon-glazed ceramics. A substantial number of glossy, jet-black Jian ware bowls with simple yet elegant designs were unearthed, many featuring vivid and striking hare’s fur patterns. Particularly noteworthy is the discovery of a batch of black-glazed bowls decorated with gold and silver inlays—findings that were first discovered at this site and are extremely rare even among global ceramic relics.

　　Yulin Ting Kiln products are extremely rare in domestic collections, yet several such black-glazed bowls are documented in the book *Tenmoku*, compiled by the Nezu Museum and Tokugawa Art Museum in Japan. Among them are gold-inlaid bowls featuring the pattern “Longevity Mountain and Blessed Sea,” with Zhu Xi’s poem “Wuyi Boat Song” inscribed on the rim. Their characteristics closely match those of the Yulin Ting Kiln Site products, demonstrating that as early as the Song Dynasty, premium Yulin Ting ceramics were already being exported and reaching the world.

　　Yulin Ting Kiln produced three major types of ceramics: celadon, bluish-white porcelain, and black porcelain. Celadon wares were mostly bowls and dishes, while bluish-white ceramics included bowls, dishes, plates, jars, pots, and bottles. Black porcelain was predominantly bowls, commonly known as “Jian ware,” representing the most iconic product of the Yulin Ting Kiln. The kiln offered a rich and diverse palette of black glazes, with vibrant and unpredictable hues, including representative types such as Wu Jin (Crow’s Gold), Hare’s Fur, Oil Drop, Partridge Feather, and Yao Bian (Flame Change). There were also gold- and silver-inlaid black-glazed bowls, adorned with landscape, floral, bird, and auspicious character designs, adding unique charm. The Yulin Ting ceramics featured wide mouths, small bases, simple shapes, thick bodies, and lustrous glazes, making them among the finest tea wares throughout history. Their distinctive artistic appeal and unique functionality are truly breathtaking, beloved by royalty and commoners alike, and highly praised by literati. These ceramics spread to Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asian countries via foreign trade and cultural exchanges, profoundly influencing daily life and social culture in those regions.

　　The discovery of gold- and silver-inlaid black-glazed bowls at Yulin Ting is the first of its kind found in China and globally, confirming that these pieces originated in Wuyishan. This resolved a long-standing debate between Chinese and Japanese archaeologists regarding the provenance of gold- and silver-inlaid ceramics. The inlaid designs, delicate in brushwork, were applied to the fired black-glaze bowls’ interiors and surfaces, depicting flowers, landscapes, and characters. The artwork blends meticulous detail with freehand expressiveness, featuring smooth strokes, dynamic animals, and lifelike landscapes. The precision in the body, craftsmanship, and glazing all demonstrate exceptional skill. Enhanced by the contrast of gold and silver patterns, the pieces are remarkably exquisite. They hold immense scientific and artistic value.

　　About nine hundred years ago, the site of the kiln (Lotus Peak in Xingcun) was traversed by an official road of Chongan. To accommodate travelers, a local philanthropist funded the construction of a shelter here. It was within this shelter that an event took place, shaping the region’s destiny for centuries. Legend says that in the late Northern Song Dynasty, amid widespread warfare and suffering, people fled southward. One day, a potter surnamed Lin from the north, along with his family, sought refuge from the rain in the shelter. There, he met two fellow Lin-surnamed individuals: one a pottery master from Jianzhou Shuiji Kiln searching for raw materials, and the other a local landowner of the surrounding hills. Discussing the area’s suitability for a kiln—abundant in pine firewood, clay, and accessible transport—they agreed that a kiln could yield great profits. The trio hit it off and decided to join forces: one would provide the site and equipment, another the forming technique, and the third the firing expertise. With ideal conditions and teamwork, their first firing succeeded, quickly building a brand and thriving business. To commemorate their chance meeting, they named the shelter “Yulin Ting” (Encounter Forest Shelter). From then on, the kiln took its name from the shelter, and its products gained fame far and wide. Over time, Yulin Ting became not just the kiln’s name but also the local place name, still used today.