August 25, 2010

• August 25, 2010 Ryumonji Kiln

  We enjoyed this visit to Ryumonji Kiln so much that we took another trip back later.  You can come with us by clicking here.

  

  After arriving at Kagoshima Airport we hopped on a bus for Kajiki Station.

  

  At Kajiki Station we bought a local treat, azuki bean paste

  

  steamed in a bread-like coating.

  

  Here, have a bite.  Don't mind if I do.

  

  We are headed for the Ryumonji Kiln, a producer of local pottery.  It takes its name from the Ryumonji Falls.

  

  

  

  This is the Ryumonji Kiln showroom.

  

  The Ryumonji kiln produces several styles of pottery, the main type being a shade of brown with a stripe of blue glaze that melts inside the kiln.

  

  

  Here is another style, brown with white cracked overglaze.

  

  I thought this hanging vase was lovely, and have buyer's regret over it.

     

  No buyer's regret here - These were beyond my reach anyway.

  

  Here is a drippy vase, a cracked white vase, and in the middle a vase with a stamped design.

      

  This style is called "shark skin."

     

  Here is some more of the showroom.  On the left you can see some other styles - yellow and tri-colored.

  

  These dinner plates are lovely, but too heavy to bring back home, and I might not have anywhere to put them anyway.

  

  Let's go out the back door of the showroom and have a look at the kiln.

     

  We have gone out the back and are facing the showroom door, with and without flash.

  

  This is a wood burning kiln of the Noborigama style, built on a slope.  It has several connected chambers that convey the heat upwards.

  

  These are the chimneys at the back of the kiln.

  

  Here you can see the chambers of the kiln that are sealed shut with bricks when the firing process takes place.

   

  Men at work

  

  

  Now it is back to Kagoshima, and here is a shot of Sakurajima as seen from the train.

  • 01:49
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