Cultural Identity of Sichuan Yingjing Black Sand Pottery in Contemporary China

บทคัดย่อ

          This paper reviews the cultural identity and modes of self-expression embodied in Sichuan Yingjing black sand pottery within the context of China’s modernization. As a timehonored ceramic tradition distinguished by unique local raw materials and handcrafted techniques, Yingjing black sand pottery carries profound cultural memory, regional identity, and practical value. However, China’s rapid modernization has posed significant challenges to traditional handicrafts, particularly in negotiating continuity between inherited practices and contemporary lifestyles. This study traces the transformation of Yingjing sandware from its earlier identity as Yingjing casserole—once centered on utilitarian kitchenware—to a diversified form of black sand pottery characterized by technological advancement, artistic innovation, and expanded social functions since the 1980s. Based on field investigations, participatory observation in production and firing processes, and a review of relevant literature, this paper examines Yingjing sandware as both an intangible cultural heritage and a living cultural practice. It explores how traditional craftsmanship, settlement culture, and ecological values are preserved while being reinterpreted to meet modern consumer demands. The study further situates Yingjing sandware within contemporary academic discourse, identifying insufficient studies and limited analysis of its cultural identity and social significance beyond technical and historical perspectives. The findings suggest that Yingjing black sand pottery functions as an important carrier of cultural identity in contemporary China, mediating tensions between rural heritage and urban consumption. Its sustainable future depends on balancing the preservation of traditional craftsmanship with innovative design strategies response to modern lifestyles and diverse markets.