Ceramic tower of Tro Pagoda: A unique souvenir product of Phu Tho.

Nestled on the mountainside in Tam Hong commune, Phu Tho province, Tro Pagoda is a humble historical site yet holds profound historical value. In 1954, the pagoda was destroyed by invaders, and many religious artifacts were lost, leaving only the ancient glazed ceramic pagoda tower – a precious artifact preserved by the local people for many years afterward. Upon the restoration of peace, the tower was handed over to the provincial museum for preservation. In 2019, the Prime Minister signed a decision recognizing the glazed ceramic pagoda tower of Tro Pagoda as a national treasure – a rare testament to the well-preserved glazed ceramic art of the Ly-Tran dynasties.

One might have thought that this iconic symbol would remain quietly encased in a museum glass case, but today, the image of Tro Pagoda Tower has become familiar to tourists, appearing in souvenir shops and standing as a distinctive representative of the Central Highlands region. The person behind this change is artisan Kieu Duc Thuong - a son of the traditional carpentry village of An Tuong, Vinh Phu commune.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Duy Dong presented Mr. ITO Naoki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam, with a model of the glazed ceramic pagoda of Tro Pagoda.

Born into a family with three generations of carpenters, Mr. Thuong grew up surrounded by the sounds of saws, the smell of paint, and the meticulousness of each carving. However, what troubled him was not just maintaining the traditional craft, but finding ways to develop carpentry in the modern era. He constantly asked himself: How can we prevent the skillful hands of the village craftspeople from fading away? How can traditional crafts survive amidst the whirlwind of the market economy ?

The answer came to him from his hometown's heritage: the glazed ceramic tower of Tro Pagoda. With its graceful form, balanced composition, and patterns deeply rooted in Buddhist art, the tower is not only a historical artifact but also the culmination of the hands, minds, and souls of our ancestors. "I was captivated the first time I saw the tower. It reminded me of my forefathers – those who lived and created in a profound connection between spirituality and craftsmanship," Thưởng shared.

Inspired by that, he began restoring the model of the glazed ceramic pagoda of Tro Pagoda. Not only did he create a replica that respected the original, but he and his team of artisans also created many versions of the model in different sizes. A 1:1 scale version is displayed prominently in offices and cultural spaces; smaller models are used as souvenirs and gifts; and there are even versions used for burning incense, carrying spiritual significance. Each product not only has aesthetic value but also carries the cultural story and traditional spirit of the ancestral land. The crafting process requires a combination of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship. From measuring proportions and selecting materials like lim wood, bronze, and ceramics to using high-tech cutting machines to ensure accuracy, everything is done carefully. However, to give the product soul, the finishing touches are still done by the artisans themselves. Every carving, every layer of gilding is meticulously crafted.

Artisan Kieu Duc Thuong (wearing a striped shirt) is working on restoring a model of the glazed ceramic tower of Tro Pagoda, turning it into a unique souvenir product of Phu Tho .

The manufacturing process requires a combination of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship.

In the workshop in Thu Do village (Vinh Phu commune), the atmosphere is always bustling from early morning. In one corner of the workshop, a group of craftsmen are meticulously carving patterns on the body of a model tower. Everyone is aware that they are not just creating a wooden product, but are recreating a cultural symbol. Mr. Thuong affirms: “We create products not only to sell, but also to tell a story. Each tower carries within it the soul of the land, of the people, of the past and present intertwined.”

In recent years, the miniature tower models produced by Mr. Thuong's workshop have been featured at many major cultural events: the Tay Thien Festival, the Yen Lac District Reading Festival in 2023, and especially the Miss Tourism World 2022 competition in Vinh Phuc. There, the small tower models were presented as gifts embodying the essence of Vietnam. Many international friends, upon holding the products, marveled at the exquisite craftsmanship and the harmonious blend of classic and modern elements.

The glazed ceramic tower of Tro Pagoda was featured at the Miss Tourism World 2022 competition in Vinh Phuc province (formerly).

Participate in the exhibition at the annual Tay Thien Festival.

The products are now consumed not only within the province but also in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and even exported through orders from overseas Vietnamese. Many foreign businesses that participated in cultural exchange events have placed large orders as gifts. Every time he sees his products displayed in prestigious settings, or taken home by foreigners as souvenirs, Mr. Thuong feels that "the effort was truly worthwhile." Because for him, these are not just handicrafts; they are small but meaningful "cultural ambassadors."

From a little-known artifact, the glazed ceramic tower of Tro Pagoda has become a vibrant cultural symbol of Phu Tho province. This journey would not have been possible without the hands and dedication of artisans like Kieu Duc Thuong, who not only preserve the craft but also revitalize it, reviving the heritage with creative thinking, a love for culture, and the belief that each carving is not just a technique but also a way of life, an identity, and an enduring voice of their homeland in the modern era.

Le Minh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/thap-gom-men-chua-tro-san-pham-luu-niem-doc-dao-cua-phu-tho-237405.htm