Page 4 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (112)

03 VOICE | 声音

Culture is an important force behind the existence and development of a nation. Every leap forward for human society and
civilization has been accompanied by historic cultural progress.
——Chinese President Xi Jinping

文化是民族生存和发展的重要力量。人类社会每一次跃进，人类文明每一次升华，无不伴随着文化的历史性进步。

——中国国家主席习近平

As the furnace fire blazed, Liu Tingju picked up a developed a true interest and passion for it,” explained
long-handled iron ladle, precisely dripping the molten Liu Tingju, a Yunzi craftsmanship inheritor with 33
mineral solution, heated to a scorching 1300 degrees years of experience, speaking from the Yunzi produc-
Celsius, into shape. Amidst the play of light and tion workshop in Kunming, Yunnan. He emphasized
shadow, the black stones appeared as deep as black that the excellence of Yunzi stems from both the nat-
jade, with a mysterious emerald ring faintly emerg- ural bounty of deep mountain ores and the meticulous
ing around their edges when held up to the light. The refinement of master craftsmanship. Precious mineral
white stones, in contrast, were exquisitely smooth and materials unique to Yunnan, such as amethyst and
warm, more lustrous than jade. This art, crafted at the agate, undergo 12 precise processes. Manual dripping
fingertips, is precisely a national treasure embodying a determines their thickness and shape, while kiln firing
thousand years of Chinese Go spirit: Yunzi Go stones. and quenching imbue them with a gentle luster. Every
The legend of Yunzi was recorded as early as the single Go stone is a testament to the artisan’s dedica-
Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) in the “Ode to Go” by tion and the kiln’s careful tempering.
Yunzi Go stones are renowned for their deep,
the renowned scholar Fu Mengqiu, stating: “The Go lacquer-black hue and their lustrous, jade-like white.
stones emerge from the furnaces of southern Yunnan.”
1,000-year- Its journey continued through the ceramic craftsman- When placed on the board, they produce a clear, res-
ship of the Song and Yuan Dynasties (960-1368 AD),
onant sound, much like a jade chime. Treasured for
old Go legacy reaching its zenith during the Ming and Qing Dy- their unique tactile properties, they feel warm and
smooth in winter, yet cool and refreshing to the touch
nasties (1368-1644 AD), when it became an imperial
in summer, making them a globally recognized gem
tribute. However, with the ebb and flow of history, this
unfolds a new craft once faced the brink of extinction. In 1974, a re- among Chinese Go equipment. In 2021, the “Yunnan
Go Stones (Yunzi, Yongzi) Production Technique,” a
search team established by the General Administration
of Sport of China in Kunming, Yunnan, relying on a
joint submission from Kunming and Baoshan cities,
chapter few surviving ancient pieces, painstakingly explored was added to China’s Fifth National List of Represent-
ative Intangible Cultural Heritages. Additionally, the
through the haze of lost formulas. Finally, in 1975,
the lost Yunzi Go stones were brought back to life in a
Yunzi brand received official designation for use in
phoenix-like rebirth. Chinese Go competitions.
千年棋脉 thickness variations do not exceed 0.5 millimeters. Development Co., Ltd. (formerly Yunnan Go Facto-
A Go set comprises 361 stones, yet their size and
Now known as Yunnan Yunzi Cultural Industry
ry), the company is dedicated to preserving intangible
Each step of their meticulous crafting is refined to
produce these exquisite Yunzi Go stones. In 1980,
cultural heritage. It consistently explores innovative
续写新篇 the “Yun” brand trademark of the Yunnan Go Factory approaches while upholding tradition, leveraging
was recognized as a “famous trademark” in China. By
seven secret formulas to both revive ancient methods
and pioneer new frontiers in craftsmanship. This com-
1986, Yunzi Go stones was officially designated for
major tournaments and presented as a national gift,
which have successfully overcome export barriers; a
shining a light on Chinese culture worldwide. mitment has led to: environmentally friendly Yunzi,
“When I first joined this trade, I found the daily colorful glaze series embodying the artistic concept of
By our staff correspondents □ 本刊综合
routine very tedious. It was only after a few years, as “South of Colorful Clouds”; and a personalized, jade-
I gradually understood the nuances of the craft, that I like series that seamlessly integrates tradition into
modern life. Yunzi Go stones currently hold 52 patents
and are sold in the United States, Europe, Japan,
South Korea, and other international markets.