Touching history, shaping clay—A day with Southern Song aesthetics at ZJU

Today wasn't just another day on campus—it was a journey back in time. As part of Zhejiang University's initiative to share Chinese culture with the world, I joined a hands-on workshop at the ZJU Art & Archaeology Museum to experience the subtle beauty of Southern Song dynasty aesthetics and try my hand at ancient-style pottery.

The moment I stepped into the museum’s Southern Song Ceramics Gallery, I was wrapped in quiet elegance. Under soft lighting, celadon pieces from the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279) sat in serene display—their glaze the color of sky after rain, their forms simple yet profound. A museum guide explained how Southern Song aesthetics valued humility, restraint, and a deep connection with nature. Looking at a delicate guan (official kiln) vase, I could almost feel the poetic sensibility of an era that found beauty in simplicity and emptiness.

But today wasn't just about looking—it was about making. In the museum's education space, a pottery teacher introduced us to shounie tao (手捏陶), or hand-pinched pottery, a technique dating back thousands of years. Using only our hands, water, and a few simple tools, we learned to shape clay into small vessels inspired by Southern Song designs.

At first, my clay seemed to have a mind of its own—lopsided, uneven, too thick in some places and too thin in others. But as I focused on the feel of the clay, rotating it gently and pressing with careful intention, something shifted. The teacher reminded us: "Don't fight the clay. Work with it. Feel its life." Slowly, a small bowl began to take form—humble, imperfect, but uniquely mine.

Around me, other Zhejiang University students—both Chinese and international—were equally immersed. Some were crafting tea bowls, others miniature jars. Despite our different backgrounds, we were all connected by the tactile pleasure of creation and a shared appreciation for an ancient craft.

As I smoothed the rim of my bowl, I thought about the Southern Song artisans who once shaped similar objects with the same patience and mindfulness. Their works have survived centuries—not just as artifacts, but as whispers of a philosophy. One that finds depth in simplicity, beauty in imperfection, and truth in the handmade.

By the end of the workshop, my hands were muddy, my bowl was modest, but my mind was clear and full. I left not only with a small pottery piece to fire and keep, but with a tangible connection to a cultural legacy that Zhejiang University is helping to preserve and share.

In a world that often feels fast and digital, today was a gentle reminder: sometimes, the most profound communications happen not through words, but through touch, shape, and silent beauty. And as a student at ZJU, I'm proud to be part of a community that values sharing these timeless experiences with the world.