KOBO Seattle | since 1995
Eric Nelsen grew up in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Early in his career, he traveled to Japan to study traditional kiln building and ceramic techniques. In 1978, Nelsen established a studio in Seattle and in 1981, he returned to Japan to work as an apprentice to Kaneshige Michiaki in Bizen, Japan. Since 1985, he has maintained a studio anagama kiln on Vashon Island, WA.
KOBO is pleased to present Eric's modern ancient wood-fired ceramic pieces, Jizō (bodhisattva), Kitsune (fox) and more.
An anagama, is a Japanese term meaning "cave kiln" which consists of a firing chamber built into a hillside. It is an ancient type of pottery kiln fueled with a continuous supply of firewood. The length of the firing may take anywhere from 48 hours to 12 or more days.
Burning wood produces fly ash and volatile salts. Wood ash settles on the pieces during the firing, and forms a natural ash glaze. The flame path 'paints the pieces with fire' which relies on the way pieces are placed in an anagama kiln. [some info from Wikipedia]
