Inkuzan Pottery
Former Tottori Domain Kiln
inkyuuzan
Honyaki
On the day when the kiln is to be lit, an altar is set up, seafood, mountain produce, and sacred sake are offered, and prayers are given to the god of fire before the kiln is lit.
A day has passed since the firing, and now it's time for the roasting process. This is the process to remove moisture from the kiln. We gradually increase the amount of firewood by adding more firewood to the top of the firebox.
The kiln seen from the side.
Smoke began to come out of the flue.
The kiln is so long that it also functions as a chimney.
30 hours have passed since the fire started
Fill the fireplace with firewood.
This is the process where the kiln fire reaches its maximum.
Every 30 minutes we fill the kiln with more firewood until the entire kiln is heated.
The large kettle consumes a large amount of firewood, and every time the kettle is finished, the next firewood is brought in. Firewood also needs to be added to the kettle, so it's a constant sweat.
After about 40 hours from firing, the entire kiln is heated.
Prepare to add firewood to the first room and wait for the right timing.
This is a process called inter-firing, where firewood is first put in the first chamber and then increased amounts are added before it burns out.
It was past 2am and I was feeling sleepy.
will also attack.
This shows firewood being added to the fourth room. Flames are coming out of the firebox, so it requires three people to work there - one to blow the fan and one to hand over the firewood.
Immediately after the kiln is finished, you cannot even approach it.
During the firing of the fifth chamber, more than 50 hours have passed since the firing, and the fire in the kiln can finally be turned off.
Flames spew out of the chimney along with black soot.
Wait until the firewood has burned out and then seal the holes in the firebox with plaster to finish.