This is the view looking down the main street from the station.
As you can see, Bizen is a small town but it is said that there are over 300 potters producing in the area.

A rectangular Bizen plate is the perfect canvas for sushi. The local sushi bar uses only Bizenyaki tableware for its fish dishes, as well as for sake and soy sauce.

Bizen yohen teapot by Suzuki Tsuneki

 

A shrine in Bizen. It is a little different from the usual shrines found all over Japan in that its guardian figures and even its rooftiles are made from Bizenyaki.

 

 

Bizen kiln

Gorobee kiln

The panels stacked up against the side are used inside the kiln as shelves, creating various levels for different firing results.


 

Here we can see pots stacked on three different levels. The pots will all have a different finish depending on where they are placed. On the top level it is possible to get a natural glaze, wheras pots placed in the bottom are covered with ash.

Photo : Gorobee kiln

Firing Bizenyaki

Firing Bizenyaki

Pots being fired inside the kiln.

Photo : Gorobee kiln

Natural ash glaze on Bizenware

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This pot was fired at the bottom of the kiln. The round spot design is created by placing clay discs with a different firing temperature on the pot prior to firing.

 

Photo : Gorobee kiln

Bizen artist - Suzuki Tsuneki

Mr. Suzuki Tsuneki after Kamataki.

 

Bizen artist - Suzuki Tsuneki

He now fires only once a year in December. The firing takes two weeks but the whole process from preparing to cleaning up takes up to a month to complete.

 

Bizen artist - Mimura Kimiko

Ms. Mimura Kimiko of Tohaku kiln
She uses 1500-1700 bunches of wood timber during a two week firing period.

 


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