[IBC] Fw: Kilns in Japan: Reprise, another interesting tidbit
 

Here's an interesting note regarding the post from yesterday.
Reminds me of those $5,000 tea bowls I saw in Tokyo Department stores!
Regards.
Dale Cochoy, Wild Things Bonsai Studio, Hartville, Ohio
http://www.WildThingsBonsai.Com
Specializing in power wood carving tools.
Yakimono no Kokoro bonsai pottery of hand-built stoneware

----- Original Message -----
Subject: Kilns in Japan: Reprise


only in very rural areas do you find wood fired kilns. and, the cost of
firing with wood in japan is extremely high. it would not be done as a
hobby. the pots that come out are very expensive.

We went to visit Kei Ito when I was in Japan. He spends a couple million
yen in wood for one firing of his "snake" kiln (a very long anagama) but
he knows he'll get 400000 yen (at that time $4000) for each pot out of
that kiln. And he isn't even a living national treasure nor did he even
study with one. He speaks of Shimizu Uichi (LNT) as his mentor but he
was never a deshi.

Real nice pots.

I've also heard that a lot of Japanese potters have to price their stuff
down to sell it in the states, so if you're looking for a bargain... The
piece will still be expensive but cheaper than if you had to go to Japan
to buy it.

Russel

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