Three Images from Japan

Three lovely images from Japan.  Only the photograph of the Geisha is one of mine the other two I have cribbed from a DVD about Japan - mostly as a experiment in photographing the TV screen.

The marvels of texture and colour on anagama pots.

Here are two more close-ups of pots fired in our anagama kiln.

Two More Close-ups

The result of a long firing and very even and regular stoking the flame patterns have been written into this platter.  The white edgings on this cut sided vase only happen in a very hot firing and is quite unusual.  What wonderful results can come from fire on clay - nothing else was added.

Some Close Ups of Glaze Effects

These two pictures are close ups of the glaze effects from the long wood firing in our Anagama,  The pots go in the kiln without any slip or glaze coating - just dry clay.  The firing of about ten days gives many coatings of ash which melts and combines with the clay surface to produce these magnificent colours and effects.  No wonder we thought it worthwhile to put so much effort into the firings.