Kiln Firing Tetsuou Ogawa / Jananese Ceramic Artist

Living in Gifu and Ena Japan. Since ancient times, Japanese pottery has been at one with nature. Winter Akamatsu pine trees should be called food for pottery since the wood contains plenty of tar and can create strong fire when cut between November and December. In the early winter,these red pine trees are cut down into 50 cm lengths to provide firewood in the valley. Spring When the snow melts and spring comes, the first thing I do is to go into the mountains to search for raw materials. The raw materials for pottery can be found in the uplands around Ena but once the grass begins to grow, it's harder to find them. As soon as the snow melts, I walk around the mountains and fields relying on my five senses to find the materials. Since the whole Ena area has abundant raw materials such as clay and feldspar, it is an ideal place for potters. Summer Make clay and glaze using the power of the shining sun. Dry and crush clay from Ena and start kneading after adding water with a sieve. This clay should be aged for at least 3 years before using it. Instead of using tbe glaze as is, let it dry in the sun to inject its energy before mixing. Autumn The best season for burning wood-fired kilns. Calm and composed potteries can be created from dry air. Firewood kiln burning is difficult since it is greatly affected by moisture in the air but can also create great products if moisture is used properly. In the winter, I start making firewood again. Feeling the change of the seasons on my skin, I work according to and in harmony with them. This is the original form of Japanese pottery making. I believe that old pottery was equipped with more powerful vitality from this and I devote myself every day to get closer to my ancestor's work. Tetsuou Ogawa official site https://ogawagama.com