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This technique traces back over 1000 years to China and Japan. Tenmoku glazes are fired at very high temperatures in a fuel-burning kiln - the fire is controlled to have just enough air to burn the fuel but not more, this produces what is called a "reduction atmosphere". They have a high melt fluidity coupled with an iron content just short of what would normally precipitate and crystallize on cooling. The effect produces a deep rich color and degree of crystallization that varies with glaze thickness, kiln firing atmosphere and cooling curve. These recipes are G2880A and G2894A.
| Glossary |
Tenmoku
Tenmoku is a kind of high temperature reduction firing ceramic glaze. Glossy, very dark brown or maroon, fluxed by iron oxide to have high melt fluidity. |
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