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The kiln holds hundred of pieces, from tiny sake cups to life-size
figures. The unglazed work is fired with wood in a week long firing,
using 6 - 8 tons of wood. It takes a week to load, each piece being
placed carefully with consideration for heat flow, clay type, shape,
and temperature, as each piece effects and is effected by the pieces
around it. The higher temperature clays fired in the front half of the
kiln come to life with the heavy ash deposits and crusty textures left
from the coals. My figures of a lower temperature clay with a high
iron content, are best fired in the back half of the kiln, where the
soft clay colors and gentle ash deposits become an integral part of
each piece.
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