Emberspottery x Keneth / Bizen Update #1

Hello,

This is Keneth and Amber, and we hope you’ve been well. We’re halfway through the month of September already, time really flies doesn’t it?

It’s been about three weeks since we started our stint in Bizen, and we wanted to pop in to give you a little update on our time here.

We are based in the Bizen Pottery Center, which is located a short drive away from Imbe, the heart of ceramic activities in Bizen. Here, we are learning the traditional techniques of Bizen pottery, from preparing clay, to shaping and trimming common forms, and even how to make our own tools.

Of course, we’ve also been hard at work making your pieces for the preorder! Here’s a sneak peek of the pieces that will eventually make their way to your homes:

As we’ve been working on making your pieces, we’ve also been thinking about how to strike a balance between the traditional forms and techniques that we’re learning, and our own existing styles. The final pieces that will go into the kiln are reflective of this thought process and our growth in this time here in Bizen as makers.

The next few weeks will be an extremely exciting time for us, as we will be preparing for the upcoming woodfiring! As we pack the kiln this week for next week’s firing, we’ll also be learning the basic wood-firing techniques that give Bizen ware its signature look.

Of course, this excitement is also mixed with some anxiety, since it is our first time ever doing a wood firing, which can be extremely unpredictable. Praying to the kiln gods that our pieces will survive the firing and come out well for your preorders 🙏

Stay tuned for our next update after the firing! In the meantime, do take care, and feel free to follow our Instagram accounts for snippets of the wood firing and the rest of our time here!

Amber and Keneth