Hello everyone. Here in the Bizen region, it is still very hot, and summer shows no sign of ending. Just thinking about firing a kiln in this heat makes me feel sunburnt. That said, some hot news has arrived that is enough to beat these sweltering days. To our surprise, Mr. Go Kaneshige has built a new kiln and has already fired a few pieces in it. It appears to be a very unique kiln—reportedly, he took the airtight chamber section of a climbing kiln and made it independent. While it is classified as an anagama (tunnel kiln), it is said to be a one-of-a-kind structure unlike any other.
It is a very small kiln, measuring about 30cm in width and 2m in total length.
It is quite a dynamic kiln; he utilized the slope of the mountain, dug into it like a trench, and used iron plates for the lid.
This time, we have been able to acquire two Bizen sake cups (Bizen Sake Cup A Bizen Sake Cup B) that were just fired in this kiln.
The works are characterized by a soft, matte "kase" sesame glaze (kase-goma) fired at temperatures between 1100°C and 1150°C.
The clay was, of course, allowed to age, and it is a piece worthy of the "Kaneshige Bizen" name, fired entirely with split pine wood.
Mr. Go seems to possess a feeling akin to a sense of duty, believing that as a member of the Kaneshige lineage, he must pursue the qualities of "kase" (matte/dry texture) and "yohen" (kiln transformation).
Through his father, Mr. Michiaki, I could sense a strong consciousness towards Bizen ware that feels almost like a homing instinct.
It is precisely because Mr. Go himself is as captivated by Bizen's "kase" texture as any Bizen fan that he has the drive to build a kiln specifically for it, and his high level of ambition in targeting "yohen" transformations is truly inspiring.
I cannot help but look forward to the exquisite "kase" sesame glaze and "yohen" effects that will surely develop further character the more they are used.
※Photos provided by Mr. Go Kaneshige.
Please feel free to contact us at the following:
Tel 0869-67-2210 Fax 0869-67-2220
Email to Kawaguchi Tourakuen