Xie Fuguo - Inheritor of Pottery-making Craft in Dayao County, Chuxiong 

Basic Background and Learning Journey

​​Xie Fuguo (谢富国)​​, a ​​Han Chinese male (汉族男性)​​ born in ​​1933 (1933年)​​ in ​​Yongsheng Village, Longjie Township, Dayao County, Chuxiong Prefecture, Yunnan Province (云南省楚雄州大姚县龙街乡永胜村)​​, is a ​​second batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage representative inheritor (第二批省级非物质文化遗产代表性传承人)​​ for ​​traditional earthenware craftsmanship (传统土陶制作技艺)​​. A scion of a generations-old pottery family, he is celebrated for his mastery of earthenware production—particularly his unparalleled expertise in glaze-making. Over his career, he co-founded pottery factories, mentored generations of artisans, and left an indelible mark on Yunnan’s ceramic landscape. His works, marked with his family’s signature "谢" (Xie) character, are renowned for their quality and market demand, cementing his legacy as a guardian of Chuxiong’s ceramic heritage.

Learning Journey: A Legacy Forged in Family and Practice

Xie’s connection to pottery began in childhood, immersed in his family’s pottery tradition:

• ​​Family Heritage​​: Born into a long line of potters, Xie absorbed the craft from his father through informal, hands-on instruction. This "family transmission" provided him with deep, systematic knowledge of earthenware production, from clay selection to firing.
• ​​Early Mastery​​: By his teens, he had already mastered core techniques, including clay preparation, wheel throwing, and basic glazing. His natural aptitude and dedication soon set him apart.
• ​​Career Milestones​​:
  • ​​Mouding Pottery Factory​​: In his 20s, Xie co-founded the Mouding County Pottery Factory, where he trained apprentices and refined his skills in large-scale production.
  • ​​Dayao Pottery Cooperative​​: Later, he led the establishment of the Dayao County Pottery Cooperative, driving local industrial development.
  • ​​Provincial Mentorship​​: Renowned for his expertise, he was repeatedly invited across Yunnan to teach "goutou" (沟头, roof drainage components) and glazed tile production, spreading his knowledge beyond his hometown.

Artistic Characteristics and Technical Mastery

Xie’s craft is defined by precision, innovation, and a deep understanding of local materials:

Earthenware Craftsmanship: Techniques and Style

• ​​Materials​​: Xie sourced clay and sand from local deposits, blending them to create supple, fine-grained clay—a hallmark of Chuxiong’s earthenware, which favors earthy red and white tones.
• ​​Glaze-Making Mastery​​: A three-generation family secret, Xie’s glaze formulation and application techniques are unmatched. He controlled every step—from raw material processing to firing—ensuring his pieces boasted unique luster, durability, and color.
• ​​20-Step Process​​: Traditional earthenware production involves over 20 stages (clay selection, kneading, wheel throwing, shaping, drying, trimming, firing). Xie excelled in the most critical steps: glaze-making and firing—skills that gave his works their signature vibrancy and resilience.
• ​​Brand Identity​​: Every piece bore his family’s "谢" character, a mark of quality that made his pottery instantly recognizable and highly sought after in markets.

Artistic Flair: Function Meets Beauty

• ​​Practical Elegance​​: Xie’s works—whether cooking pots, bowls, or storage jars—blended functionality with artistry. His pieces were not only durable but also featured subtle, locally inspired decorations.
• ​​Cultural Fusion​​: Influenced by the Yi culture of Longjie Township (a birthplace of the Yi "left-foot dance"), his designs echoed local aesthetics—earthy, unpretentious, and deeply connected to daily life.

Cultural Contributions and Legacy

Safeguarding Earthenware Heritage

As a provincial inheritor, Xie preserved Chuxiong’s earthenware tradition—a craft with roots in the Neolithic era and Yuanmou Dadianzi culture. His factories and mentorship programs ensured the survival of techniques that might otherwise have faded.

Nurturing Artisan Communities

By training apprentices and leading cooperatives, Xie cultivated a new generation of potters. Even in his later years, he continued teaching, supporting his disciples in establishing a new pottery factory—ensuring the craft’s continuity.

Strengthening Cultural Identity

Xie’s "谢" marked pottery became a cultural symbol of Dayao. His work not only preserved tradition but also fostered local pride, as residents recognized their heritage in every piece.

Cultural Context of Dayao’s Earthenware

Historical Roots

Dayao, a land of rich Yi and Han cultural interplay, has practiced pottery since ancient times. Xie’s family, part of this lineage, adapted traditional techniques to local materials, creating a distinct Chuxiong style.

Regional Significance

Longjie Township, a cradle of Yi left-foot dance, provided Xie with cultural inspiration. His pottery, though utilitarian, reflected the township’s vibrant folk culture, blending function with artistic expression.

Challenges and Preservation

Challenges

• ​​Aging Artisans​​: Few young people mastered the labor-intensive craft.
• ​​Modern Pressures​​: Machine-made ceramics and shifting lifestyles reduced demand for handmade pieces.

Protective Efforts

• ​​Policy Support​​: Xie’s provincial recognition and Dayao’s "intangible heritage + tourism" initiatives provided institutional backing.
• ​​Community Engagement​​: "Intangible heritage into schools" programs and local craft fairs kept his tradition visible.

Conclusion

Xie Fuguo is more than a potter—he is a ​​living bridge between past and present (连接过去与现在的活态桥梁)​​. His hands, calloused by clay and fire, have preserved Chuxiong’s earthenware legacy, infusing it with new life through mentorship and innovation. With every "谢" marked piece, he honors his ancestors and ensures that future generations will continue to cherish this humble yet profound craft.To learn more, contact the ​​Dayao County Culture and Tourism Bureau (大姚县文化和旅游局)​​ or visit Longjie Township to witness the enduring art of Xie Fuguo’s earthenware.