Refer China: Potter Crafts Urn for Wife ： A Poignant Plan for Eternal Reunion

In a poignant tribute to his late wife, a Chinese potter has created a clay urn using her ashes, intending to place his own remains inside upon his death. Piao Shutang, 62, from Shandong province, and his wife, Lang Aikun, were both inheritors of the ancient craft of making xun, a traditional Chinese vessel with a 7,000-year history.

Their 30-year marriage was a perfect harmony, symbolized by the Chinese idiom "qin se he ming," which describes a blissful union. Together, they crafted pottery, researched ancient musical instruments, and taught children how to make and play the xun at a local school.

Tragically, their happy life was cut short when Lang was diagnosed with cervical cancer and passed away in 2023. On February 5, Piao shared a video on social media, revealing that he had fulfilled his promise to Lang by creating a clay urn containing her ashes.

In the video, which also served as a heartfelt letter to his wife, Piao said, "This is the best pottery I have ever made. What do you think?" He also crafted four clay flower pots and two xun, one large and one small, all infused with Lang's ashes.

Piao hopes that after his death, his children will place the urn and the instruments in their grave, dreaming that someone in the distant future might discover and play them. "This would make all of my and my wife's work worthwhile," he said.

Since Lang's passing, Piao has been sharing videos expressing his love and admiration for her, calling her "the best pottery craftswoman in the world."

Editor: CH