WIND OF ZEN

Presentation and workshop with Shoko Kazama

Shoko Kazama is the official calligrapher of Zen temple Kencho-ji in Kamakura, Japan. Kenchoji ranks first among Kamakura’s Five Great Zen temples and is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan, dating back to 1253. This is Ms. Kazama's second exhibit/tour in the United States.

Saturday, November 14, 2009
2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
(same event repeated twice)
Palo Alto Art Center

Studios A/B
1313 Newell Road
Palo Alto, CA, 94303
Free admission
Supported by the Consulate General of Japan
RSVP and questions to Yoriko Kishimoto at ykishimoto@earthlink.net.

Every year in the middle of summer in a tiny village of Filimonovo near Tula the Polyana Ceramic Festival is held. Translated from Russian, "polyana" means meadow, and what a beautiful and peaceful place that is. But since the village doesn't get a lot of visitors throughout the year, there is not even a paved road that leads there. But in the good old days, nearly a century ago, Filimonovo was very famous for its potters. Today, Konstantin Kehadi, a local ceramic artist and the festival organizer, is trying to revive the old craftsmanship by bringing together potters from other ceramic centers across Russia and passing the love for traditional crafts to children. Picturesque meadow by the river glistening under the summer sun - one couldn't find a better place to meet old friends and learn about traditional Russian folk art. 

Children are wedging clay for the pit kiln.

   

Old fashion pit kiln.  Ceramic toys are  piled on the metal grate (there are 4 chambers in the ground underneath for the airflow). Firewood will be stacked directly on top of the  ceramics,  and everything  covered up with about 20 layers of paper soaked in the slip. Finally,  the tall chimney will be build on top of the kiln. On the second picture Konstantin Kehady is unloading the kiln.

    Filimonovo ceramic toys

Visit my  Flickr.   to  see more photos.