tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941116847729995457.post4326116203953776363..comments2009-07-16T21:02:10.990+09:00Euan Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566781595108329428euan.craig@gmail.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941116847729995457.post-1317827094512638242009-07-16T21:02:10.990+09:002009-07-16T21:02:10.990+09:00Hi Ang,<br />Thanks for the comment.<br />In the Bizen region of Japan they wrap pots in rice straw which has been dipped in a brine solution. When the straw burns it volatizes the salt giving flashed lines called &quot;Hidasuki&quot; in Japanese. What I am using is the straw from tatami mats, which is actually a sea grass or rush called &quot;Igusa&quot;, and because it comes from the sea side it already contains natural salts, so a similar flashing occurs. I fire higher than Bizen kilns and therefore I am able to also flux out the other solid minerals in the ash which leaves the distinctive linear markings on my work. Hit the &quot;Stacking&quot; label on the blog for a slightly better example of the use of the straw. Next time I stack I&#39;ll do a detailed explanation on the blog. Watch this space!Euan Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566781595108329428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941116847729995457.post-5972073099238449222009-07-16T19:21:51.046+09:002009-07-16T19:21:51.046+09:00hey euan..the twig/straw pieces between the pots is that to spread free ash across the kiln??looks great pre fire..anghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10818952156682990100noreply@blogger.com