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Anagama
Anagama
refers to a Japanese designed kiln that is fired with 
wood
for four to five days. Donn Hedman and Christy Kane-Hedman have the kiln
on their farm near Smicksburg and in a central location for 6 potters
in the area. Requiring round the clock stoking with at least 5 cords of
wood it is a test of endurance and a rewarding effort for pots that emerge
with a very distinct character.
The
pots are usually not glazed but
instead are decorated and enhanced by the build up of wood ash on the pots.
As temperature is reached inside the kiln, approx. 
2,300
degrees F, the wood ash melts and creates flashes and drips in conjunction
with marks of the path of the flame through the kiln. Because of the size
of the kiln and the effort required to fire it, this is usually a community
effort and several potters join together to load and fire the kiln. We typically
fire the kiln twice a year, in fall and spring.
Anagama
pots are rare and therefore more valuable than ordinary pots and can be
seen at local studios and Smicksburg Pottery in Smicksburg PA.
