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It all started with a dream my mother had.

A ceramist like me, she told me of her wish to someday build a Japanese Anagama kiln in Lofoten. She imparted in me the fascination with the craft and its endless possibilities, its many genres and local ceramic cultures from all around the world. We often talked about our imaginary Anagama kiln.

Sadly, my mother passed away in 2017, and somehow it became even more important for me to see this project come to fruition. When Bodø became a European Capital of Culture for 2024, it presented a great opportunity the get the Arctic Anagama project off the ground. Supported by EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee and Vestvågøy Municipality, Rokkvika Porselensfabrikk visited Bizen in November 2023. Our main contact in Japan, the accomplished ceramic artist, Mr. Toshiaki Shibuta, introduced us to several of his colleagues in Bizen and we studied many kilns and learned about this fascinating ceramic tradition. During our stay, we succeeded in putting together the Japanese team that will build our kiln in the summer of 2025.

In August 2024, Toshiaki Shibuta, who is the designer and lead builder of the Arctic Anagama kiln, visited Lofoten together with fellow ceramist Takuma Watanabe. At Rokkvika Porselensfabrikk they led workshops and presentations for local ceramists and artist, demonstrating Bizen clay and traditional techniques as well as the art of Anagama firing. As the language barrier was an issue, Mr. Shibuta and Mr. Watanabe had prepared written learning materials to complement their oral presentations as well as a video showing the process of Anagama firing. At the potter’s wheel Toshiaki Shibuta made his hands do the talking, exhibiting the skills of a true master.

The Arctic Anagama kiln is meant to benefit ceramists in the local region and beyond, as this will be the first such kiln built in Northern Norway. Ceramists will be invited to participate in firings with their own pieces, and students of ceramic art will be invited to study the kiln and learn about the Bizen wood-firing techniques.

We also used the opportunity to hold a promotional event presenting the Arctic Anagama project to the public at the local culture center. The event was attended by over 30 people who also got to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, performed by Mr. Takuma Watanabe, as part of the program. Many attendees also registered to follow updates in the project and if needed participate as volunteers. Our wish is for the Arctic Anagama project to garner enthusiasm and participation from the local community, and for it to be a gateway to increased interest and knowledge of the craft. After our first public presentation of the project, we feel confident that we will be successful in this regard.

The week of workshops and presentations were again graciously supported by EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee as well as the Norwegian Association for Arts & Crafts and Nordland County Council.

While our Japanese friends visited Lofoten, we continued the planning of next year’s main happening, when Mr. Shibuta and Mr. Watanabe will return together with two colleagues to build the kiln. The kiln will then be dry-fired, loaded and fired for the first time with our own objects as well as objects from other ceramists in the region. An exhibition will be held afterwards.

After first meeting in Japan, then in Lofoten, we have become more than just acquaintances and fellow ceramists. We have become great friends. Spending hours together in the workshop, learning from each other and talking about our craft and our artistic ideas has been truly inspiring. As a ceramist that mostly use imported clay, learning about the Bizen ceramist’s emphasis on preparing and using local clay in their production, made me start the process of mapping out and studying the local Lofoten clay. Mr. Shibuta and Mr. Watanabe joined me in excursions to retrieve clay samples and plan firing tests during their visit. When the first Anagama firing is completed next summer, the kiln should contain pieces made from Lofoten clay.

As Mr. Shibuta and Mr. Watanabe were travelling back to Japan, they graciously gifted me several beautiful Bizen pieces that they had brought from Japan, and I got to send with them some of my own. We are staying in touch, planning the next steps of the project.