Celina Blog:"The kiln called “Ittekoi” Part II"

When we arrived at the Ceramic Park, where the kiln is, another one, based on the same

plans, was under construction; wood kilns have a short span of life, they have to be

re-constructed from time to time, The new kiln is placed a few meters apart and the

building process is evident; the kiln body made with refractory bricks is ready for the

vault to be built on.The supporting structure for the vault is made of wood and will be

disposed of when the vault is finished.

The lowest level is deep, so while the pieces, some of them big and

heavy, are carefully aligned, it is difficult to keep the body balance, another student helps pulling the body of the one in charge of stacking so he does not end falling upside down.

These snaps made by Kawazaki Masato, show the feeding mouth (left) and openings (right) letting the fire go out through the old wall, no matter the effort we made to seal them. Below: The fire going out from the chimney is proof that the atmosphere inside is reductive.

Two days later, the last snap shows the rewarding results.

I asked Prof. Kawasumi who directed the firing and he kindly told me that he would be pleased to send plans of this kiln for free if requested to our school directly: Prof Kawasumi Kazushi, Shigaraki Ceramics Technical Research Institute, Nagano 498, Shigaraki, Koka city, Shiga 529 1851 Japan, or by E-mail to this Forum.