制作工程 Production Process
1. 成形 手びねりで、鉄の多い赤い土をうつわなどに形作ります。 Forming: Using the hand-building technique, the piece is shaped from iron-rich red clay.
2. 化粧土 水で解いたドロドロ状態の白い粘土を筆で塗り、乾く前にスポンジで叩いて細かい凹凸をつけます。 Slip Application: Apply the white clay—mixed with water to a thick, slurry-like consistency—with a brush, then dab it with a sponge before it dries to create a fine, textured surface.
3. 乾燥 1週間ほどしっかり乾燥させます。 Drying: The piece is allowed to dry thoroughly for about one week.
4. 素焼き 窯で素焼きします。ゆっくり800℃まで上げ、火を落とし数日冷まします。 Bisque Firing: The piece undergoes a preliminary firing in the kiln. The temperature is raised slowly to 800°C, after which the heat is turned off and the piece is left to cool for several days.
5. 絵付け 液状の粘土(釉薬の性質も兼ね備えた調合)を、太さ0.5ミリの筒から絞り出す手法(イッチン)で、輪郭を描いて行きます。 この輪郭は、盛り上がった土手となり、それらに囲まれた中に筆で釉薬を置いていきます。 Decoration: Outlines are created using a technique called *itchin*, where liquid clay (a mixture formulated to possess glaze-like properties) is squeezed from a nozzle with a 0.5mm opening. These outlines form raised ridges, and glaze is then applied with a brush into the enclosed areas.
6. 本焼き 電気窯にて(酸化焼成)約12時間ほどかけ、窯の温度をゆっくりと1,250℃まで上げていきます。 Glaze Firing: An electric kiln is used (oxidation firing); the temperature is slowly raised to 1,250°C over a period of approximately 12 hours.
7. 窯出し 窯を止め、数日冷ましたら窯出しをします。 Unloading the Kiln: After shutting down the kiln and letting it cool for several days, the kiln is unloaded.