On the relationship between the production of Dingyao white-glazed ceramics and the development of Dingzhou during the Song-Jin period = 宋金時期定窯白瓷生產與定州發展之關係

Abstract

The Song and Jin dynasties were considered the 'golden age' of ceramic production in China, with a multitude of kilns producing a variety of ceramics all across the country, each with its own distinct style and characteristics. The Dingyao kilns, located in Dingzhou, Hebei province, were kilns specialising in the production of fine, white-glazed ceramics which had been treasured by imperial members, the literati and connoisseurs for centuries. While most academic research on Dingyao ceramics focuses on their production methods, characteristics, excavated findings, and writings by connoisseurs, very few effort has been devoted to the study of Dingzhou itself, the place which gave birth to the kilns. In fact, Dingzhou as a place is very interesting on its own, as its geopolitical significance shifted quite considerably during the Song to Jin period, from a strategic military point close to the Song-Liao border in the Northern Song dynasty, to being part of the economic centre during the Jin dyansty. Throughout time, the Dingyao kilns went through several different stages in terms of product characteristics, production method and choice of fuel. Upon closer inspection, these stages correspond intricately with the changing political and economic landscape of Dingzhou. This dissertation attempts to take an in-depth look into the development of Dingzhou, and explore its relationship with the evolution of Dingyao white-glazed ceramics during the Song to Jin period. 宋金是中國窯業的黃金時代，南北窯場百花齊放，各具獨特風格，相互爭鳴。定窯是其中最值得研究的瓷窯之一，其生產面貌、所用燃料、燒製方法、產品風格等，在宋金時期一直有所演變，每階段都極具時代特色。以往陶瓷學者一般專注討論定窯瓷器的風格特徵、製作方法、出土情況等，較少深入探討窯場所在地 - 定州的地緣政治環境。例如眾多定窯專論中，較少人提及定州在北宋時間屬宋遼邊境地帶，控扼契丹南下道路，為北宋邊防重鎮，長期屯駐重兵。這種特殊環境，不可能對當地手工業完全無影響。細看之下，定窯每期的變化，都剛好與定州的社會發展步伐一致，值得深究。 本文試圖透過部析定州在北宋至金期間局勢的演變，側面看定窯在不同時期的生產面貌，多角度了解定窯的歷史背景。