Black-glazed two-eared pot from Lushan Kiln

The Five Dynasties (907-959), also known as the Five Dynasties and Ten States, began after the Tang Dynasty (618-907) was overthrown by Zhu Wen in 907, ending with the establishment of the Song Dynasty in 960. In fact, six out of the Ten States were overturned after 960, with the last being the Northern Han in 979.

Lotus shaped celadon cup with saucer of Yue Kiln

The Five Dynasties refers to the five states founded on China's Central Plains. During this period, there were 10 other small kingdoms, all of which (except the Northern Han) were located to the south of the Qinling Mountains and the Huaihe River. The states of the two minority regimes, Liao and the Western Xia, also coexisted with these states, but they were seldom mentioned in Chinese history books, which generally focused on the Han nationality.

During a period of chaos and havoc, tyrants and merciless officials were oppressed; continuous wars persisted and heavy taxes were imposed. During this period, both famous cities of Chang'an and Luoyang were destroyed. The Five Dynasties, therefore, was also known as Wu Ji (five last -- the last and the worst period of the reign of a dynasty). The tumultuous period was also characterized by the tendency towards a single, central authority, which paved the way to the end of the prolonged country divisions by the Northern Song. Achievements during this period included the technological development of gunpowder, manufacturing and printing. In literature, ci became the most popular poetic form during the Five Dynasties.