Pottery or ceramics are big around here. With the amazing good luck that seems to characterize the period I strut and fret my life out on the stage, I have got to know Yamada san. He is probably the doyen of the Okinawa potters. A totally charming man who has exhibited his work all around the world but works with strictly local materials er like coral and mud and stuff and uses the most incredible kiln.

“Today, three main kilns dominate Yomitan. Probably the most well known of the three is the central Kita Kiln (Kita Gama). Designed by master potter Shinman Yamada (who has a studio nearby), the kiln is a nobori-gama (climbing kiln) used for firing jōyachi (glazed) pottery. Built on a slope, the kiln consists of nine chambers called fukuro. It is fired only a few times a year, with each artist receiving opportunities to place their items in the kiln to be baked.”

So,

Light my fire

they only fire this thing up 3 times a year and I was invited to today’s firing. The thing burns for 3 days.

Fire, to destroy all you've done. Fire, to end all you've become. I'll feel you burn

“It ain't the heat; it's the humility.”

Generally when there's a lot of smoke... there's just a whole lot more smoke.

Check out the results

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16995525@N04/sets/72157623457492159/