Traditional climbing kiln in Mashiko
We had the opportunity to film ceramic artist Takashi Sato firing pottery in a traditional climbing kiln.The kiln is kept burning continuously for three days and three nights to fire the pottery.
Book Your Hotel in Japan with Agoda
This time, a British female ceramic artist who moved to Mashiko about six years ago also came to help with the firing. Firewood has to be added every 30 minutes to keep the temperature from dropping. It is demanding physical work that requires constant attention, day and night..
Firing a traditional climbing kiln is also expensive, especially because of the cost of firewood and other expenses. For this reason, three ceramic artists share the kiln and fire their pottery together.
During the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, many kilns in Mashiko were damaged or destroyed. Some ceramic artists later switched to gas kilns, so seeing pottery fired in a traditional climbing kiln has become an increasingly rare experience.
Kiln firings are held only occasionally, so it is not easy to plan a visit around one. However, if you are staying in Mashiko for an extended period, please feel free to contact us. If the timing is right, you may have the rare opportunity to see a traditional kiln firing in person.
Profile
Takashi Sato
lib company representative
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1976. Lived in Tokyo and Ibaraki Prefecture until graduating from junior high school.
First came into contact with the pottery wheel during a class in high school.
After studying at a university in the U.S. for a year, he trained for three months in Karatsu, and began working in Ibaraki.
At the age of 25, he studied under Tsuneo Narui, a potter in Mashiko, and has been working in Mashiko ever since.
His works are sold on Starnet and other sites.