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A rabbit-shaped celadon word is on display in Shaoxing. [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]

Zhou Tangyue is an apprentice at a Yue kiln celadon research institute in Shangyu district, Shaoxing, Zhejiang province. While learning how to make traditional celadon, he fell in love with the art.

Several days ago, Zhou put some molded clay shaped like rabbits into the dragon-shaped kiln at the Fenghuangshan Archaeological Park in Shangyu.

After the "Yue kiln celadon origin of China's porcelain — the first 'Shangyu kiln' opening festival" on Nov 18, Zhou took his fired celadon products –  celadon rabbits, out of the kiln.

The wood-fired dragon kiln is different from a gas-fired kiln, which was used by Zhou in the past. "Firing it in a dragon kiln makes its glaze brighter," said Zhou.

Zhou added that firing celadon in the wood-fired kiln is a more primitive technique and a traditional firing technique with a history of a thousand years. Although the success rate is significantly reduced and many works will be flawed, these uncertainties make it more special among celadon lovers.

Yue kiln is a famous celadon kiln in ancient China known as "mother porcelain". Shangyu is the originof the Yue kiln celadon and is home to over 400 ancient kilns.

The "kiln opening festival" is the first real re-burning of the Yue kiln celadon in a thousand years, and is also an active exploration of the protection and utilization of this ancient intangible heritage.