Test Firing!!

Sorry to keep you all waiting!
Here are details of the Test Firing .

June 8th,

Finished all the production work,

Started packing the kiln for the test firing.

It looked like rain,

so we have to finish packing the kiln before the rain.

Euan has got IGUSA straw from our neighbourhood TATAMI shop in TAKUMI NO SATO, Craft village,  Minakami.



We wrapped them very carefully.
Each step in the process has made us happy.

Euan looks very excited and happy!

He could not help whistling
and telling jokes of course. （＾－＾）













Euan will fire the kiln tomorrow.

We have finally come to this point.



















June 9th,

Our friend prepared  offerings to the Fire God.

We prayed for the success of the kiln firing .

Euan lit the fire in the kiln at last.

I think our cat, Jiji, was also hoping for success.

It was pouring with rain.

It was a very good reduction firing.



Our friend, Raku, who has helped us since last year, also helped with the firing.


Thank you, Raku.






Euan watched the flame in the fire box.

He adjusted the wood stoking pattern throughout the firing, the kiln temperature seemed to climb smoothly.

The flame looked like it was alive.

This kiln was made from the old bricks from the ruined kiln in Tochigi.
This kiln was rebuilt and reborn.

The flame from the chimney looked like a Phoenix.

The kiln seemed happy to be reborn, too.


The kiln temperature reached 1305℃, the seger cone 10 was completely down, the firing finished 10minutes before the scheduled 14 hours.

Every body cheered!
(apologies to our neighbours....)

He sealed the fire mouth, blocked the blow hole, closed the damper. Then it was time to wait.

Well done, Euan!

It was a fantastic firing. 

I can't wait for the opening!

June 12th,

Euan opened the kiln door.

The flashing is beautiful!
The dragon stamp looks very good!

There are very few losses from this firing.

The results are wonderful.

The kiln is a success!

Now, Euan starts to make pots for the first firing exhibition.

We have waited for this moment a long time.

Euan put aside his career for the sake of his family, and he has worked very hard.

Thank you, Euan.

And it is with the help of many friends that we have come this far.

Thank you all.

Our children worked very hard, too.

Each of the kids has done their best to help while adjusting to the new environment and a new life.

Thank you kids!

Love you all!!

Euan is able to restart as potter in Minakami at last.

 

Thank you.

 

Euan Craig Kiln !

The kiln is finished!!







We brought all the old bricks from the ruined kiln in Tochigi.
Then we have cleaned, cut and ground them.

Euan also changed the kiln design a little.

He interlocked the chimney and body of kiln this time,
so it prevents shaking from the chimney base.

He has also connected the kiln frame and the foundations with bolts
to prevent shaking and moving the kiln in an earthquake.
He has drawn on his experience.

We have rebuilt the improved kiln stronger.





Now he is making pots for test firing the kiln as a potter.
He has put aside carpentry for a while.


He has not made pots on the wheel for a long time, months.......
He looks very happy.

It was a very long way to come here.
It is still a long way to go.

We could not come have this far without support from many people and friends.
Thank you very much from my heart

It was Euan's birthday on May 22.
It is the year of dragon this year, and he is a dragon.
We saw the ring of the solar eclipse the day before his birthday, like a present from god.

Now the kiln is finished, he has started making pots......

I'm really looking forward to Euan's future works.

Happy birthday, Euan.