# Sovereignty Module: Feed the Dragon

## Complete Wood Firing: From Kiln to Ash Glaze

Wood firing produces unique surfaces through ash deposit, flame marking, and atmospheric effects impossible to achieve with gas or electric kilns. This campaign covers wood kiln types, stoking strategy, ash glazing, and firing schedules.

### Chapter 1: Wood Kiln Types

| Kiln Type | Origin | Chamber | Firing Time | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anagama | Japan | Single long chamber | 3-7 days | 2300-2400°F |
| Noborigama | Japan | Multiple climbing chambers | 3-5 days | 2300-2400°F |
| Bourry box | France | Downdraft, separate firebox | 12-24 hours | 2300-2400°F |
| Train kiln | Various | Long, narrow, multiple chambers | 2-5 days | 2300-2400°F |
| Cross-draft | Various | Simple single chamber | 12-36 hours | 2300-2400°F |

### Chapter 2: Wood Fuel

| Wood Type | BTU/Cord | Burn Rate | Ash Content | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak (red/white) | 24-28 million | Slow | Medium | Sustained heat |
| Pine (softwood) | 15-20 million | Fast | Low | Quick temperature rise |
| Maple | 24-26 million | Moderate | Medium | Steady heat |
| Ash (tree) | 20-24 million | Moderate | Medium | Good all-purpose |
| Cedar | 13-16 million | Very fast | Low | Kindling, quick heat |

Wood preparation: 1) Split to 2-4 inch diameter pieces. 2) Length: fits firebox (12-24 inches typical). 3) Dry for 6-12 months (below 20% moisture). 4) Wet wood wastes energy evaporating water. 5) Stack in covered area with good airflow. 6) A 3-day anagama firing requires 3-5 cords of wood.

### Chapter 3: Firing Strategy

| Phase | Temperature | Duration | Stoking Rate | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warming | Room temp to 500°F | 6-12 hours | Small, infrequent | Drive off moisture |
| Water smoking | 500-1100°F | 4-8 hours | Moderate | Complete water removal |
| Oxidation climb | 1100-1800°F | 8-16 hours | Steady, increasing | Build temperature |
| Body reduction | 1800-2100°F | 4-8 hours | Heavy, fast | Reduce atmosphere |
| High fire | 2100-2400°F | 12-48 hours | Continuous, heavy | Reach target, ash deposit |
| Cooling | 2400°F to room temp | 3-7 days | None (sealed) | Slow, even cooling |

Stoking technique: 1) Side-stoke (through side ports): small pieces, frequent additions. 2) Front-stoke (through firebox door): larger pieces, less frequent. 3) Side-stoking creates more ash in the chamber. 4) Front-stoking provides more even heat. 5) Alternate between oxidation and reduction for complex surfaces. 6) Reduction: close damper, heavy stoke (smoke = carbon monoxide). 7) Oxidation: open damper, light stoke (clear exhaust).

### Chapter 4: Ash Glazing Effects

| Effect | Cause | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Natural ash glaze | Ash deposits melt on pot surface | Green, amber, brown glass |
| Flame marking (hidasuki) | Straw wrapping burns, leaving marks | Orange-red lines on white |
| Carbon trapping | Carbon locked under ash glaze | Black spots under glass |
| Flashing | Flame path across unglazed surface | Orange, peach, warm tones |
| Wadding marks | Wadding under pot prevents sticking | White circles on bottom |
| Kiln shadow | One side faces flame, other sheltered | Dramatic light/dark contrast |

Natural ash glaze: 1) Wood ash contains silica, alumina, and flux (calcium, potassium). 2) At high temperature, ash melts into glass. 3) Ash accumulates on surfaces facing the firebox. 4) Heavy ash deposit = thick glaze (dripping, flowing). 5) Light ash deposit = thin glaze (dry, matte). 6) The composition of the ash (wood species) affects the glaze color and texture.

### Chapter 5: Loading and Kiln Care

| Loading Factor | Consideration | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Position near firebox | Heavy ash, intense flame | Thick ash glaze, dramatic effects |
| Position in middle | Moderate ash, even heat | Balanced effects |
| Position near chimney | Light ash, less flame | Subtle effects, flashing |
| Tight loading | Restricts airflow | More reduction, darker surfaces |
| Open loading | Allows airflow | More oxidation, lighter surfaces |
| Wadding | Prevents pots sticking to shelves | Essential (alumina + kaolin) |

### Reference Card

1. Wood firing is a marathon (a single firing can last 3-7 days with continuous stoking every few minutes; teams of firers work in shifts around the clock). 2. Ash is the glaze (in wood firing, the glaze comes from wood ash that settles on pots and melts at high temperature; no commercial glaze is applied; the kiln creates the glaze). 3. Position determines surface (pots near the firebox receive heavy ash and intense flame; pots near the chimney receive subtle effects; every position in the kiln produces different results). 4. Dry wood is essential (wet wood wastes energy evaporating water instead of heating the kiln; wood must be split and dried for 6-12 months before use). 5. Reduction creates depth (restricting airflow creates a carbon-rich atmosphere that produces deeper, more complex colors; alternating between oxidation and reduction creates the most interesting surfaces). 6. Every firing is unrepeatable (the combination of wood species, loading pattern, weather, stoking rhythm, and kiln atmosphere creates unique results; no two firings produce identical surfaces). 7. The kiln is a living thing (wood firers speak of the kiln as having a personality; learning to read the kiln's behavior through flame color, sound, and draft is essential to successful firing). 8. Wood firing connects to the deepest pottery tradition (for thousands of years, all pottery was wood-fired; the surfaces produced by wood, ash, and flame are the original ceramic aesthetic).