photo from https://m.sohu.com/a/343960704_394273
- Brother of Wu Li Zhu
Wu Liyong 吴立勇
Wu Liyong (吴立勇) is a respected Jianzhan craftsman from Houjing Village, Shuiji Town, Jianyang District, Fujian Province, the birthplace of Jian kiln (建窑). Born in 1968, he has devoted decades to the study, preservation, and recreation of traditional Song Dynasty Jianzhan.
He began collecting and researching Jianzhan in 1992 and later studied glaze formulation under Dehua glaze specialist Li Wenzhong. In 2016, he founded Jianzhou Jianzhan Ceramics Co., Ltd. Throughout his career, Wu Liyong has remained committed to producing authentic Song-style reproductions using traditional materials sourced from the Jian kiln region, including locally mined clay, glaze stone, and plant ash.
Wu Liyong is especially recognized for his faithful reproductions of classic Song Dynasty Hare’s Fur (兔毫) bowls. His work emphasizes traditional vessel shapes, iron-rich clay bodies, and naturally developed glaze effects that closely resemble surviving Song Dynasty examples. He has also produced outstanding Oil Spot (油滴), Persimmon Red (柿红), Black Gold (乌金), and Tea Foam (茶沫釉) glazes, including his well-known blue-return (回蓝) effects.
In 2013, Wu Liyong was recognized as one of the first representative inheritors of the Jian Kiln Jianzhan Firing Technique (建窑建盏烧制技艺) in Jianyang. His work Modern Antique Hare’s Fur Bowl (现代仿古兔毫盏) was collected by the Nanping Museum, and his pieces have received numerous awards at national ceramic and arts exhibitions.
Collectors appreciate Wu Liyong’s work for its strong adherence to traditional Song aesthetics. Rather than emphasizing highly iridescent modern effects, his pieces focus on historical accuracy, refined firing techniques, and recreating the appearance and character of antique Jian ware.
Known For
- Traditional Song-style Jianzhan reproductions
- Hare’s Fur (兔毫)
- Oil Spot (油滴)
- Tea Foam glaze (茶沫釉)
- Blue-return (回蓝) glaze effects
- Persimmon Red (柿红)
- Black Gold (乌金)
- Traditional Jian kiln firing techniques
Awards & Recognition
- 2013 – Recognized as one of the first representative inheritors of the Jian Kiln Jianzhan Firing Technique (建窑建盏烧制技艺).
- 2014 – Gold Award, 31st Beijing International Arts & Crafts Brand Expo.
- 2015 – Best Technique Award, 8th Cross-Strait Cultural Industries Fair.
- 2015 – Gold Award, 3rd China Golden Arts International Arts & Crafts Innovation Design Competition.
- 2016 – Modern Antique Hare’s Fur Bowl collected by the Nanping Museum.
- 2016 – China Top Ten Famous Kilns Gold Award, Jingdezhen International Ceramic Expo.
References
- Jianzhan Master Series – Wu Liyong (建盏名锋家系列——吴立勇)
- Wu Liyong – Antique Oil Spot Jianzhan (吴立勇 / 复古油滴)
- Guanfu Jianzhan – Wu Liyong Gallery and Biography
more exsamples
