The End

I loved this project. It could not have worked out better and I'm happy everything worked out okay. I love the fact that I was able to do something that really interests me and connect it with the Japanese culture. The Kawazaki family was wonderful to me and I could never repay them for the things they have all taught me. It was a fantastic experience to be able to learn a new type of ceramics, especially one that involved such exciting work.

Moto asked me today what I learned in my time at the studio. I really couldnt answer it, for more than one thing came to mind. I really think it taught me kindness, for it isnt often you find a family willing to open its doors to a stranger like my ceramics family did for me. They helped me learn their ways, gave me tips, showed me techniques, all while teaching me new ways to do ceramics. Its because of the family that I loved doing this project. I wish I was staying longer so I could see even more, though I dont take for granted any minute of time I was able to spend in the family business.

All I can really say is thank you, Kawazaki family, for everything you have shared with me. I look forward to being able to present all I have learned at my school. I hope to teach them a few things, just like you did for me.

Thanks to everyone who made this project happen. I absolutely loved every minute of it :)

-Sarah

Pictures of the People that helped!

Here are some pictures of Moto, Takao, Mr. Inagaki, Mr. Isobe. This is when we went out to dinner!

Day Nine - More Pictures

Day Nine - Final Day :(

Today is was necessary to be at the studio at 9am for it was going to be a big day. I met Moto and Takao at the studio and we then drove to Yamashina. We had to do Kuroi (Black) Raku, and the kiln was located there. It took me a while to figure out that the guy who lived there was their uncle (Moto and Takaos dads brother, does that make sense?). It was cool, yet a slow tedious process. Basically all the pots we had, had been through a bisque firing and were painted this black grey brown color. Now, all these pots needed to be fired. This is how it went. The kiln was at 1200 degrees celsius. So hot, you could feel it was burning in there. We then would put 3 pots into the kiln and would leave the lid off for 1-2 minutes. Then we closed it until a total 4-6 minutes passed by. Then the kiln was opened, the items were taken out, and the next items went in. The reason why the kiln is opened for a little bit it because of oxygen levels. For this kiln and process oxygen levels need to be low, but still present. Therefore we let oxygen into it, so that the temperature rises. Then we close it so the levels decrease.

I sat about 6 feet from the kiln and when the lid was open it was hot. I could feel it against my skin, it was crazy. Today is a really hot and humid day too, and due to safety reasons it was required to wear pants, long sleeves, and closed shoes. (Itd burn your skin) But it added extra heat. When the lid was closed it really wasnt that bad but the amount of heat is immense. The pots glow a deep red orange color after only being in the kiln for 5 minutes.

I took some pictures of the store for you guys to see what the little shop looks like.

So we had lunch in Yamashima and then continues the process. I was the time keeper :) I had a stopwatch and just told them when to close the lid and take things out. They offered to let me try it but I was a little to scared of the heat.

In one of the pictures of a cup taken out of the kiln you can see a black dark spot on it. Every pot done this way has one. It happens because of the tongs and there is no way to avoid it because the glaze and everything is just so hot.

Day Eight

Today was my last day at the actual ceramics studio. I finished the work I had left, well some of it. The tea bowls I made come in Raku red, or Raku black. Since I had four I decided to paint 2 of them red, and two of them will be black. You dont need to paint the two black ones at this stage in the process, they only get glazed later on.

Also, I made a normal tea mug a while back, and drew waves on it. Today I painted the waves blue so that they will stand out against the white color the clay will turn. The heard thing today was waiting. Every time I painted the bowls (the ones that will be red) I had to wait 30 minutes. So i painted outside, waited thirty, painted inside waited another thirty, and then I had to do it again for a second coat.

I also watched Takao I guess you could say, burn some items. He put these Red Raku items on this sputtering flaming box in the ground and just watched the fire surround them. He then dipped them in water and laid them to the side.

Since I didnt have much to do, I also watched Moto. He was making identical bowls. Instead of making them all individually, and by that I mean taking a small piece of clay, make a bowl, then use another little piece of clay. Moto used a huge piece of clay. He then proceeded to make one bowl on the top of the huge centered piece and then would take the top part off. So he just did that until he had no more clay on his wheel. Interesting process.

The thing that bothered me today is that when I decided to start taking pictures, my camera didnt turn on! Turns out my stepmom took out the battery to load it and no one put it back in. So I took some shots with the cell phone I had. Sorry for the bad quality and for the fact that I only have three shots. :-/

Tomorrow will be day 9 with my ceramics family. We will be going to Yamashima (I think thats the name) where they have another kiln which they use for the Black Raku. This is a crazy process. It involves an open kiln at 1200 degrees celsius. Moo warned me to wear long pants, long sleeved shirt, and closed shoes, preferably cotton, since the kiln tends to be very hot and often sputters. Can't wait to take many pictures! Its actual so hot that the one using the kiln has to wear a welders mask (is that what its called?)

Tonight, Takao, Moto, the Ceramics representative (the guy who introduced me to the family) and Kenji (My dads friend who set up everything) are coming with us to dinner. We are taking them to a Belgian restaurant/bar close to our apartment to thank them for everything they have done to help me with my project! I will post back either later or tomorrow with more pictures.

Day Seven - Tea Ceremony Class- Even More Pictures

Day Seven - Tea Ceremony Class- More Pictures