About Anagama
Large Vessels
Vases
Tea & Sake
About the Artist

Anagama fired pottery depends on chance kiln events -– in particular, the behavior of wood ash circulating at high temperatures causing glaze to form on the clay surfaces in irregular patterns. Although seemingly random, the surface graduations of color are achieved only through delicate planning and some years of experience. I use Ohia (Metrosideros Polymoropha) as fuel. Salt is introduced to the kiln through clay-filled Opihi (limpet) clam and abalone shells used as stilts and spacers to prevent the pots from fusing to the shelves and each other.

Each firing takes between 96 and 110 hours to complete, using over 3 ½ cords of wood. The finished pot displays the interaction between earth (clay), fire and wind (flying wood ash), and the results are truly a collaboration between the potter and nature.

 - Clayton Amemiya