"Bizen Yaki"
Bizen ware is unglazed stoneware, which is made in Bizen district in Okayama prefecture. Bizen ware history is very long, and its origin can be found in the ending Heian period (794-1192). At that time temperature of firing was lower than established Bizen ware and their colors were not reddish and not strong enough. But later efficiency of the kiln was improved, and it became very popular ordinary ware in Japan. And especially after the age of provincial wars, Bizen's wabi & sabi tastes were loved by masters of ceremonial tea and warring lords.
Today Bizen pottery is one of very popular collective items, and more than 400 potters are making Bizen wares and their wares are sold all over Japan.

Clays of Bizen are taken from rice paddies or mountains of Bizen district. But clay determines the favor of ware, and the knowledge about clay usage is one of each potter's secrets. They blend some kinds of clays to get their favorite clay. Wakimoto san showed us several clays, but I heard that Bizen potters rarely show their clays.

His 'noborigama' (climbing kiln) is on the slope of the smooth mountain, and has three (maybe) rooms. When we visited, rooms were cooled completely, and all items were brought out. We could see the inside of kiln rooms, which are larger than I imagined before.
Potters figure the effect of fires and ash -glaze and determine how and where they arrange items in the rooms. They put more than a thousand items into a kiln, but every piece is put very carefully with forecasts from their experiences. For example, if potter puts a small cup on the shelf, upper part will have much ash-glaze, and bottom part will become red or orange. Straws are used to avoid items stick to each other, but when they are burnt on the items, they have 'hidasuki' - orange lines markings. Sometimes they intentionally put another cup on the item, which prevents it from covering with ash-glaze. By this technique, red/orange circle clearly is revealed in the rough ash-glaze surface. Its technique is called 'Botamochi', which means 'rice cake'.

Wakimoto san fires his kiln once a year. He fires about 20 days and more than 2300 bundles of red pine wood are burnt. Kiln is fired day and night, and they operate firing around the clock on three shifts. Temperature of the rooms heats up to 2200 degree F.

Four or five days after fire is extinguished, Wakimoto san carried out items from the rooms. Potters must wait for the temperature lower enough to get in and slow lowering of temperature is good to avoid making flaws to items. Items just brought out from the rooms are covered with ashes, and far from art products. Potters carefully clean and check the items. Cups and vases which will be filled with water must be checked with real water.

How carefully potters figure when they put the items into the rooms, firing results are swayed by accidents and nature. Items which can be sold at gallery are said to remain only 20 to 30 % of whole items.


Wakimoto san keeps several kinds of clays.


Inside of kiln.


Before firing, items are arranged with figuring the effects of fire and ash.




Lots of red pine woods are used for firing.


Kiln is fired.


Wakimoto san is throwing woods into room.


Temperature of the rooms heats up to 2200 degree F.


Flames on the top of kiln.




Firing continues for 20 nights and days.


Upper parts of items are covered ash-glaze, and lower part and grounding part remain uncovered.





Checked with filled water.