Ceramics – Preparation for the Climbing Wood Fire Kiln
Here in Owase I have been blessed with the great opportunity to study and enjoy Japanese ceramics in the raw but also a chance to be involved in a naturally wood firing in a 2 room climbing kiln. The natural glazing of pottery represents the quintessential style of ceramics from this area of Japan, Mie Prefecture. The heart of Japanese ceramic art lies in these natural firings that use only the clay, kiln manipulations, and different woods to produce a wide variety of beautifully eccentric and humble art. The more I study this aesthetic known as wabi-sabi (侘び寂) and strive to embody it in my own work the more exciting and enjoyable the entire process of ceramic art becomes.
For this firing hereafter referred to as the Wai Wai Firing, I am using a special clay from Yokkaichi, the origin of Banko yaki ceramics, and Old Iga Fine Sand Clay. By doing this I hope to capture not only the memories of Mie but also the heart of Mie ceramics in my pieces. I know that this firing and the circumstances in which I can take part in it so freely and easily will most likely never again come about thus ichi-go ichi-e (一期一会) I plan to suck the marrow from the bone and drink myself into a drunken stupor of life.
NOTE: The below pieces are neither bisque fired nor glazed. I am still unsure what to do glaze wise.
I want to work with glazes that are local or well accustomed to a wood firing, such as: iron glazes, ash glazes, and shino glazes. We have too Shinos so I have already used them but there are tons of the other two so I’m at a loss. Iron sand, Iron red, Karatsu, Soba-iro, Koseito, Blue ash, clear rock ash, etc etc…
Happiness Happens
When one thinks that no one cares and nothing will change, often happiness or relief falls into place from unseen circumstances. Such has been the reality as of late, though somewhat self-absorbent to be posting such joys in times like these in Japan. I believe that celebrating life and looking forward not backward is the road to reconstruction.
For months I had been looking for work – no matter how menial or mundane – to pass some time and enforce a schedule on my life but also to make a little more savings for crises and loan payments. In many ways I don’t believe that my wife and I will get such a perfect time to save and be free of money worries again like this for quite a while. Thus as the April neared with no job prospects in sight the stress grew and grew and yet in my own classic style I did not realize that I was stressed. Until I begun to feel a sudden, strong tightness in my temple twice or three times an hour . That has since stopped, for a number of reasons but here is the best one: I got a job working in a bakery/cafe! The bakery is called Lapin(or bunny in French). The name comes from that fact that the brainchild of bakery(one of two sisters, who run the place) is year of the rabbit. The year of teh rabbit is associated with many good things, happiness, fertility, creativity, and warmth. All good things for a qualities to ascribe a bakery, right?
First, I LOVE Baking! Second, this is Japan, not America, it’s like studying survival Japanese everyday. Third, FREE BREAD!
Furthermore, this job has opened up a plethora of cultural experiences and lingual opportunities. I get to practice my numbers a lot (haha), polite language, and many more mundane words I would not use nor need but everyone knows. Most importantly, in this job I am treated as an equal. My proposed names of new bread or sweet designs are no more accepted than the owner and maker of the bread. My ideas for how the cafe should sell or how much it should sell are all accepted and discussed. This could very well be the Japanese work ethic of consensus that I had heard so much about. Now i have experienced it. Say what you will about its perchance for inefficacy or inefficiency but I find it more rewarding and inviting. This equanimity was especially demonstrated by the fact that unlike so many job places before that quickly rejected me after they heard I was a foreigner (without speaking to me or even inquiring about my Japanese language ability), they wanted to meet me and talk with me. I could not have asked for a more positive environment. I am so overjoyed with this blessing. God answered prayers never even spoken only wished in my heart.
I truly love this job and I pray that more wonderful experiences await me ahead.
Hallelujah! Viva La Pan!
Photo to come soon!
Oh! Saka! 