Tz'u chou type bust of an Emperor probably 18th century Tz'U CHoU is in the province of Chihli, though it was formerly in Honan. The character which denotes the township is the same as that used for crockery, and " Crockery Town " is a fitting name; for ware is still manufactured there and it has been a pottery centre since the Sui dynasty. In fact there is no place in China which has had a longer and more continuous connection with ceramics.