Inside his family's traditional pottery workshop in Nam Dieu neighborhood, Thanh Ha ward (Hoi An city, Quang Nam province), while Le Van Nhat (37 years old) meticulously paints on his pottery pieces, his wife enthusiastically introduces unique products to a group of foreign tourists. These include clay figurines, cups printed with images of lanterns, lotus flowers, the Japanese Bridge, Hoi An streets, and especially a set of traditional folk game playing cards. Recognized as a typical rural industrial product of Hoi An city last year, the set of folk game playing card playing cards is a vivid testament to the tireless creativity of the younger generation in the pottery village.
These exceptional works were created by young artisans in Thanh Ha pottery village.
Photo: Manh Cuong
In 2017, when Bài Chòi art was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, Mr. and Mrs. Nhật intended to create jewelry featuring Bài Chòi cards. However, it wasn't until 2024 that they began experimenting, and fortunately, their creations were well-received and loved by customers.
Mr. Le Van Nhat created the snake mascot.
Photo: Manh Cuong
Mr. Le Van Nhat created the snake mascot.
Photo: Manh Cuong
"This set of jewelry is not just an eye-catching item, but also a cultural story told through ceramics, carrying the mission of promoting the meaning, gameplay, and artistic beauty of a world heritage folk game to tourists," said Mr. Nhat.
It's not simply about selling products; it's also about spreading cultural values, transforming each ceramic item into a "cultural ambassador." The vases, inspired by the ancient houses of Hoi An with their characteristic yin-yang tiled roofs, are displayed with great respect by Mr. Nhat. "The products created in the ancient Thanh Ha pottery village are not just decorations, but also a piece of memory, a part of Hoi An's soul encapsulated in pottery," Mr. Nhat shared.
These Bài Chòi playing cards were created from ceramics by Mr. Le Van Nhat.
Photo: Manh Cuong
These Bài Chòi playing cards were created from ceramics by Mr. Le Van Nhat.
Photo: Manh Cuong
Mr. Nguyen Van Lanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoi An City, affirmed that young people in Thanh Ha pottery village are a crucial factor in promoting and introducing traditional pottery art to domestic and international tourists. These young artisans have continuously innovated to create new and unique products, blending seamlessly with the beauty of ancient culture.
Artisan Nguyen Viet Lam meticulously "decorates" the ceramic products.
Photo: Manh Cuong
Artisan Nguyen Viet Lam meticulously "decorates" the ceramic products.
Photo: Manh Cuong
When young people return to the craft villages and nurture their passion for pottery, they are not only inheritors but also creators. They bring the vitality and unique beauty of the land and people of Hoi An in particular, and the culture of Quang Nam in general, into their handcrafted works. "The city will further promote creative talent within the community. The government will create an environment and opportunities to revive and develop new glazes as well as the precious traditional values of Hoi An city," Mr. Lanh said.
Reviving Thanh Ha glazed ceramics
Nguyen Viet Lam, 28 years old, owner of the Son Thuy pottery production facility in Thanh Ha pottery village (Hoi An city), has successfully revived the technique of making glazed pottery, one of the three main product lines of Thanh Ha pottery (along with red pottery and stoneware). Nguyen Viet Lam is the sixth generation to continue the family's traditional pottery craft. He constantly researches and improves designs and, together with his father, learns from the experience of other pottery villages across the country.
In 2016, when given the opportunity by the city government to visit Japan to learn about the renowned glazed pottery production model of the Land of the Rising Sun, Nguyen Viet Lam discovered a suitable formula, creating a glaze for pottery products similar to the one used by the ancients of Thanh Ha village. This is considered a crucial breakthrough, helping to "revive" the Thanh Ha glazed pottery tradition. The products created by Nguyen Viet Lam and his wife always retain the traditional beauty of Thanh Ha pottery, only improving the designs and quality of the glaze, supplying both the domestic market and exporting abroad.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bai-choi-thuc-giac-tren-gom-18525061720551297.htm
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