Anagama firing workshop
The first anagama firing at Can Brull.
A 5-day intensive following the full journey of an authentic Japanese-style anagama firing: preparing, loading, lighting, firing, side stoking, and sealing Kujiragama. The morning is a paid workshop for registered participants; the afternoon is open to the public.
- Dates
- 30 Sep – 4 Oct 2026
- Format
- Japanese wood firing intensive
- Location
- Can Brull
- Status
- Confirmed
The experience
- Follow the firing as it develops, with new decisions and learning opportunities every day.
- Work alongside the firing team instead of learning only through demonstrations.
- Study the history and philosophy of Japanese wood firing, with a focus on the Bizen tradition.
- Understand Kujiragama by comparing it with Taiga Mori's noborigama in Bizen.
- Prepare shelves, wadding, fire clay, ash, rice straw, saggars, wood, and other firing materials.
- Learn how flame, embers, atmosphere, ash, placement, damper, air channels, and side stoking shape the final surfaces.
Who it's for
For ceramic artists, potters, and anyone interested in Japanese wood-firing traditions through direct hands-on experience. You can join the full morning workshop or reserve firing space only. No previous wood-firing experience is required.
The team
This practical workshop will be led by Taiga Mori, Frank Richter, Magali Kivatinetz, and the Kujiragama firing team. Participants actively assist with preparing wood, loading the kiln, firing, observing changes, and understanding how each decision influences the final results.
Program
30-09
Introduction to Japanese wood firing and the Bizen tradition; the story and construction of Kujiragama; loading strategy and why placement matters; comparison between Taiga Mori's noborigama in Bizen and Kujiragama; preparation of shelves, wadding, fire clay, ash, rice straw, saggars, and other materials.
01-10
Closing and lighting the kiln; why an anagama is heated slowly; wood preparation and organisation; reading the early firing; recording temperatures and observations; responding when the kiln heats too quickly or too slowly.
02-10
Continuing the temperature climb; preparing fuel and maintaining rhythm; understanding flame movement and atmosphere inside the kiln; reading Kujiragama and adapting the firing strategy; tea ceremony and discussion about Japanese firing culture.
03-10
Introduction to side stoking; bringing the kiln to maturation temperature; using the damper and air channels to control atmosphere; moving heat evenly through the kiln; understanding reduction, ash deposits, flashing, and other wood-firing effects.
04-10
Completing the firing and sealing the kiln; reviewing the process from beginning to end; discussing challenges, unexpected moments, lessons learned, questions, and reflections.
From 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, the firing is open to the public. Workshop participants may stay to observe, spend time at Can Brull, and, if they wish, assist the firing team.
Practical information
- Daily rhythm
- Workshop: 10:00 am-2:00 pm, only for registered participants. Open to the public: 2:00 pm-6:00 pm.
- Included
- Five days of hands-on instruction and participation in the firing, daily access to workshop activities, one shoebox-sized space in Kujiragama for your ceramic work, and tea ceremony on Day 3.
- Pieces
- Pieces must be suitable for high temperature wood firing and reviewed by the team before entering Kujiragama.
Price
Workshop price: €600, including one shoebox-sized space in Kujiragama.
Firing only, without attending the workshop: €100 small box, €250 medium box, €500 large box.
Very limited workshop places available.
The afternoon firing, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, is open to the public. Workshop participants are welcome to stay after the morning session; it is optional and highly encouraged.
Good to know
- Results in an anagama firing are not guaranteed: warping, cracks, intense marks, fused pieces, and losses are part of the process.
- The kiln sets the real rhythm. Timings may shift according to temperature, atmosphere, and the firing team's decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I come to only one day of the workshop?
Yes. You can attend only one day, but we strongly recommend coming to all five days. Each morning covers different material and the information given on one day will not be repeated on another day.
Is a first firing riskier?
Yes. This will be the first firing of Kujiragama. Although it will be guided by a team with years of experience in wood kilns and high-temperature firing, every anagama has its own character. This will be the first time we discover how this kiln breathes, how it responds to fire, and what marks it leaves on the pieces. Taking part means joining a collective adventure: the risk of the unknown, and the unique chance to be part of Kujiragama's first fire. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Should I bring glazed or unglazed pieces?
We recommend bringing unglazed pieces, so they can live a process close to Bizen ceramics in Japan: the surface transforms naturally through ash, flame, and the path of the fire inside the kiln. If you use glazes, they must be high-temperature glazes, safe for 1260-1300 C, and suitable for this kind of firing.
What technical conditions must my pieces meet?
All pieces must be bisque-fired at least once and made with high-temperature clay bodies suitable for 1260-1300 C. We cannot accept pieces, clay bodies, or glazes that cannot withstand these temperatures.
Why is preparation so important in a communal firing?
Your piece will be next to someone else's. An unsuitable clay body, a glaze that runs, or a badly prepared piece can damage not only your work, but also other participants' pieces and the inside of the kiln. We ask every participant for awareness and responsibility.
Are results guaranteed?
No. In a firing of this kind, cracks, breaks, warping, pieces stuck to each other or to the shelves, areas more or less exposed to the fire, unexpected marks, and losses can happen. That uncertainty is part of the process.
What happens if I wanted to take part in the Anagama firing but cancel at the last minute?
Organising an anagama firing requires a lot of planning. For this reason, once payment has been confirmed, we cannot offer refunds for cancellations.
How many pieces can I put in my box?
You can include as many pieces as fit comfortably inside the corresponding box. The number will depend on the size of your work.
What happens if my piece is not accepted for the firing?
All pieces will be reviewed before entering the kiln. If any piece poses a risk to the kiln or to other participants' work, it cannot be accepted. In that case, we will try to let you know in time so you can replace it.
What is the maximum size my piece can be?
The piece must fit completely inside the box corresponding to your participation. If you want to fire a particularly large piece, write to us first so we can assess whether we can include it.
How long do I have to pay?
Registration will remain open until 15 September or until the kiln capacity is full. Your place is confirmed once payment has been made.
Do I need to attend the anagama firing if I have pieces inside the kiln?
You do not need to take part during the three and a half days of firing. If you would like to join us and be part of the experience, you are welcome.
Where can I stay if I want to attend the Anagama for several days?
Can Brull does not offer accommodation, but we can recommend hotels, rural houses, and other nearby places to stay.
Can I eat or buy food at Can Brull?
We will not offer restaurant service or sell food during the firing. We recommend bringing your own food and drink if you plan to spend several hours with us. There will be spaces available to rest and eat.
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