Huairen Kiln is a folk kiln with a thousand-year history in northern China, which began firing during the Liao and Jin dynasties, characterized by black glazed porcelain. The kiln was distributed along valleys such as the Dayu River and Xiaoyu River, utilizing local kaolin and loess glaze resources to form a unique craft system. Physical evidence such as the Jin Dynasty's black glazed oil drop cup and the Yuan Dynasty's black glazed chicken leg bottle attests to its technical achievements [1] [3]. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it gradually declined due to changes in regional political status, but the kiln fire was not extinguished. Existing sites such as Xiaoyu, Zhangwa Gou, and Wujia Kiln bear witness to its historical context [3] [6]. The modern city of Huairen has inherited traditional porcelain-making skills and has developed into one of the largest daily-use porcelain production bases in the country. In 2022, it was selected as one of the first batch of provincial characteristic towns in Shanxi Province.

Firing and Glaze Characteristics: Utilizing kaolin (with a refractory temperature of up to 1730°C) associated with the Datong coalfield, the body exhibits a grayish-yellow hue. A uniquely formulated loess glaze is employed, resulting in a finished product that contrasts a glossy black glaze with an iron-rust-colored body [3][6].

Decorative Techniques:

Carved Relief (Retained Design with Ground Cut Away): Patterns are carved through the black glaze layer to expose the light yellow body beneath [3].
Single-Line Incised Decoration: Simple lines are drawn on the unfired clay body using a bamboo stylus [6].
Typical Forms: Chicken-leg bottles, fluted jars, and oil-drop tea bowls. Among them, the Yuan Dynasty maple leaf bottle is housed in the China Ceramic Museum.