Firing with Wood and Soda
Kazegama Kiln: Wood and Soda
The Kazegama Kiln is a contemporary hybrid wood kiln. Its name translates to “wind kiln.” The kiln was originally designed by Steve Davis in California. George Rolland and I have modified the design several times creating a kiln that meets our needs and aesthetic.
Built as a cross draft kiln, it draws flame and heat forcefully through the chamber, entering from the front, sweeping around the pots, and exiting out the back through the chimney.
Firing up to as high as 2,395°F, the kiln holds approximately 120 pots. At peak temperature, wood ash begins to melt, creating natural glossy surfaces and rich flowing textures. We then introduce soda ash, which vaporizes and moves through the kiln, leaving soft gray hues and flashes on the pots’ surfaces. There is no glaze applied; the atmosphere alone—ash, soda, flame, and heat—creates the final finish. Pot placement is intentional, designed to interact with the flame’s path and the volatile firing conditions.
Opening the kiln is always a moment of discovery. We celebrate the beauty of the results, each pot a collaboration between fire, ash, and time. But there is also loss. The kiln’s intensity can crack or shatter pieces not strong enough to withstand the force. That unpredictability is part of the process. Kazegama pots carry the marks of their journey. They tell a story of clay, fire and surrender.
