Woodfiring

We've always wanted to try out woodfiring. Usually for a potter woodfiring is one of the highest goals he can achieve in firing his goods. Nevertheless, it wasn't until last year we could actually have a go at it. The waiting was all the worthwhile because we got the opportunitiy to woodfire with an expert on woodfiring - Gas Kimishima.

In July 2009 we got to participate in a ceramic symposium where Gas kimishima was a host. We had several workshops with him, one of them was about making a japanese tea bowl. Gas is an expert on woodfiring and building anagamas, so we even got to learn how a traditional anagama is built.




The firing itself was a huge experience for us. It was a bit extreme as it took place in the hottest summer. The temperature around the kiln was almost unbearable and every degree on the thermometer was very hard to obtain. The reduction was a big drama as one of the fire pits got loaded with a too big chunk of wood and the door couldn't be closed. The chimnez was closed at that time and so gigantic flames came bursting out of the kiln to suck in the air. The thing was that the kiln we were firing in was built under a wooden shed and there was a lot of wood still lying around the kiln. It was just a few minute struggle but some of us were thinking "man, this looks like too much, perhaps we should call the fire brigade."
But Gas was great, he managed to shove the chunk of wood in and closed the door with a winning smile.




The pottery that came out of the kiln was beautiful, woodfired pottery has a very different quality to it and woodfiring is like a drug. Once you've experienced it, you want to try it again.




We've gotten a building plan for a small kiln from our friend and if we manage to get enough fireclay bricks, we will build it this summer. Firing in our own kiln in our backyard - what a dream come true...


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