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C.M. Kwan | all galleries >> Galleries >> China 2009 - 2011 > Strict Responsibility System
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Nov 2010

Strict Responsibility System

Xihua Gate Ruins, Nanjing view map

Best viewed at "original" size

These 600-year-old bricks on Nanjing City Wall are carved with clear Chinese characters.
They tell about the production, names of the prefecture, supervisor, brick-maker and transporter.

Because the bricks for building the wall were produced from 150 prefectures,
the soldiers would conduct a quality check by hitting the bricks when receiving them.

It was said that the officer would execute the maker
if the brick was broken during the check.

Posted on 28 November 2010

Nikon D5000 ,Nikkor AF-S 10-24mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED
1/25s f/8.0 at 24.0mm iso200 full exif

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Guest 05-Dec-2010 19:39
Fascinating background to the detail in this image.
Zoltán Balogh30-Nov-2010 08:09
I love it very much, how interesting! V
Giancarlo Guzzardi30-Nov-2010 08:02
interesting notes an beautiful terracotta tone
Steve Morris29-Nov-2010 16:57
Great story CM - life was tough in those days!!BV
shatterbug29-Nov-2010 09:13
With such a severe punishment, I can see quality control being excellent...great textures in your image, and a great story to go with it!
Raymond Ma29-Nov-2010 06:57
Such interesting historical narrative CM...talk about accountability! V
marko gregoric29-Nov-2010 04:39
Interesting image. Very good capture. V.
Guest 28-Nov-2010 18:36
Thanks for sharing the background about these bricks! Magnificent details! Bravo ~V
Chad Ramsey28-Nov-2010 18:00
Wow! That's really amazing! Talk about quality control!!! Fascinating~V
Barbara Read and Fred Schaad28-Nov-2010 17:37
Now if we could find a way to achieve the same level of accountability out of our politicians, we would have a stronger system.
Peter Stahl28-Nov-2010 16:31
Nice to see after all those years. Excellent job CM! :-)
Walter Otto Koenig28-Nov-2010 16:24
Great sharp and clear image. Fascinating information too of the very strict quality control. "V"
marie-jose wolff28-Nov-2010 15:04
superb capture, so clear and sharp! V
Jan Bakker28-Nov-2010 14:20
A beautiful image, CM! Walls tell stories. Colors and correction are perfect! BV!
Jim Coffman28-Nov-2010 14:05
Very nice capture,CM@ I feel that their quality control might be a little excessive! V
Tomasz Dziubinski - Photography28-Nov-2010 13:41
Superb, Voted.
meekam tam28-Nov-2010 13:26
Very interesting capture with historical information,CM! V
borisalex28-Nov-2010 12:30
No wonder the Great Wall is still there! :)) Great info, CM! Thanks for sharing! V.
Guest 28-Nov-2010 12:16
Now thant;s a REAL building code!! Thanks for sharing, CM. V Lee
2004 28-Nov-2010 12:04
Excellent quality control makes the wall still stands firmly. Thanks for your sharing !
Raymond28-Nov-2010 11:27
They were well made since here we are ... 600 years later, and they are still like new. I'm sure the makers had very long lives.
I like this image, symetric and well presented, and it also has a wonderful history to it.
Stephanie28-Nov-2010 11:25
Very interesting information of this wonderful image CM. Superb lighting! V