Marcia Selsor on sun 9 jul 06
Martie,
I can think of three{
Ceramic Arts and Perception International in scope from Australia
Ceramics Monthly from Westerville, OH USA
Keramos Technicos n Greece
Marcia Selsor
http://marciaselsor.com
On Jul 9, 2006, at 7:07 PM, Martie (aka the Kiln Priestess) wrote:
> Hello everyone:
>
> OK, here I go again, singing the praises of Kiln Gods.
>
> I have made several visits to Hong Kong's Fan Sin Kung temple (the new
> train rail now hooks up with the subway making the journey a =20
> breeze) and I
> think that I may have finally worked out the details of the mythology
> behind Fan Tai Sin Tze. I was also able to interview the temple=92s
> committee leader and he filled me in on a lot of the details that I =20=
> was
> looking for. Now I am working this material up into an article that =20=
> I hope
> some ceramic journal might want to publish. Does anyone have any ideas
> about where I should send it?
>
> I want to publish this material in a ceramic trade journal because =20
> I am
> trying to make it accessible to other potters. There isn=92t much =20
> material
> available in English on actual Chinese kiln god worship practices. =20
> I did
> find a lot of information on Chinese kiln gods by using the Chinese =20=
> Google
> search engine, but of course the information is all in Chinese. My
> husband, Kong has helped me to translate some of it, but he is a busy
> painter and art professor and does not have a lot of time to try and
> untangle the information for me.
>
> I don=92t want to send my article in to an archeology journal because =20=
> a lot
> of professionals from various universities and other organizations =20
> have
> already published extensive information about the ancient kiln site =20=
> that
> the temple once supported. It seems that not too many English speaking
> people are interested in the mythology or current worship practices at
> China=92s kiln god temples, so if I want to understand more about =20
> this topic
> I have to research it myself. It is also a little difficult to find
> information on =93popular=94 or =93folk=94 religion in Hong Kong and =
China =20
> because
> most scholars are not interested in this topic and many Chinese =20
> people are
> a little embarrassed by it because it is considered by some people =20
> to be
> the old fashioned religion of the older generation. The people who =20
> worship
> at the many folk temples around Hong Kong don=92t like to talk about =20=
> their
> beliefs because there isn=92t any real dogma that is spelled out for =
the
> average person and people sort of follow their own needs and =20
> feelings when
> it comes to worshiping. Of course there is a lot more to popular =20
> religion
> than just lighting up a few sticks of incense, but I don=92t want to =20=
> really
> try to get more complex in my explanation at this time. (I do have =20
> some
> good books about Chinese religion, but when it comes to =20
> understanding the
> mythology of some of the various deities=97well some of this =20
> information has
> been lost.)
>
> If anyone is looking for a good way to bless their kiln firing you =20
> can do
> what some Chinese potters still do=97write the name of a deity on a =
red
> board or red piece of paper and then offer the plaque three sticks of
> incense (minimum), your prayers, and maybe a few shiny oranges for =20
> good
> luck. The names of Feng Huo Hsien and Fan Tai Sin Tze are a couple =20
> of good
> kiln gods to start with. Also, I don=92t think that more than one =20
> kiln god
> should be worshiped at a time. (Each special kiln site or ceramic
> producing region in China has its own local kiln deity.)
>
> Finally, I should add that only Chinese potters in Taiwan and mainland
> China appear to still worship kiln gods before a firing. Hong Kong =20
> potters
> are all modern studio potters and they don=92t seem to be very =20
> interested in
> traditional Chinese beliefs (maybe modern electric kilns aren=92t =20
> conducive
> to old traditions). Anyway, none of my Chinese potter friends in =20
> Hong Kong
> had even heard of kiln gods before I explained my research to them. =20=
> (Some
> of my friends still think that I am making this stuff up.)
>
> Martie
>
> PS: I hope that everyone on the list understands that my ethnographic
> research and sharing of kiln god informantion is in no way intended =20=
> to try
> and pursuade anybody to "believe" in kiln god mythology. I only wonder
> about this becauseI always have to post my kiln lore messages more =20
> than
> once. I wonder if my messages are being accidently filtered out =20
> because
> they contain the word "god."
>
> Martie Geiger-Ho, Ph.D.
> University Fellow
> Academy of Visual Arts
> Hong Kong Baptist University
> Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
> kilnlore@aol.com
> www.kilnlore.com
>
Marcia Selsor
http://marciaselsor.com
Martie (aka the Kiln Priestess) on sun 9 jul 06
Hello everyone:
OK, here I go again, singing the praises of Kiln Gods.
I have made several visits to Hong Kong's Fan Sin Kung temple (the new
train rail now hooks up with the subway making the journey a breeze) and I
think that I may have finally worked out the details of the mythology
behind Fan Tai Sin Tze. I was also able to interview the temple=92s
committee leader and he filled me in on a lot of the details that I was
looking for. Now I am working this material up into an article that I hope
some ceramic journal might want to publish. Does anyone have any ideas
about where I should send it?
I want to publish this material in a ceramic trade journal because I am
trying to make it accessible to other potters. There isn=92t much material
available in English on actual Chinese kiln god worship practices. I did
find a lot of information on Chinese kiln gods by using the Chinese Google
search engine, but of course the information is all in Chinese. My
husband, Kong has helped me to translate some of it, but he is a busy
painter and art professor and does not have a lot of time to try and
untangle the information for me.
I don=92t want to send my article in to an archeology journal because a lot
of professionals from various universities and other organizations have
already published extensive information about the ancient kiln site that
the temple once supported. It seems that not too many English speaking
people are interested in the mythology or current worship practices at
China=92s kiln god temples, so if I want to understand more about this topic=
I have to research it myself. It is also a little difficult to find
information on =93popular=94 or =93folk=94 religion in Hong Kong and China b=
ecause
most scholars are not interested in this topic and many Chinese people are
a little embarrassed by it because it is considered by some people to be
the old fashioned religion of the older generation. The people who worship
at the many folk temples around Hong Kong don=92t like to talk about their
beliefs because there isn=92t any real dogma that is spelled out for the
average person and people sort of follow their own needs and feelings when
it comes to worshiping. Of course there is a lot more to popular religion
than just lighting up a few sticks of incense, but I don=92t want to really
try to get more complex in my explanation at this time. (I do have some
good books about Chinese religion, but when it comes to understanding the
mythology of some of the various deities=97well some of this information has=
been lost.)
If anyone is looking for a good way to bless their kiln firing you can do
what some Chinese potters still do=97write the name of a deity on a red
board or red piece of paper and then offer the plaque three sticks of
incense (minimum), your prayers, and maybe a few shiny oranges for good
luck. The names of Feng Huo Hsien and Fan Tai Sin Tze are a couple of good
kiln gods to start with. Also, I don=92t think that more than one kiln god
should be worshiped at a time. (Each special kiln site or ceramic
producing region in China has its own local kiln deity.)
Finally, I should add that only Chinese potters in Taiwan and mainland
China appear to still worship kiln gods before a firing. Hong Kong potters
are all modern studio potters and they don=92t seem to be very interested in=
traditional Chinese beliefs (maybe modern electric kilns aren=92t conducive
to old traditions). Anyway, none of my Chinese potter friends in Hong Kong
had even heard of kiln gods before I explained my research to them. (Some
of my friends still think that I am making this stuff up.)
Martie
PS: I hope that everyone on the list understands that my ethnographic
research and sharing of kiln god informantion is in no way intended to try
and pursuade anybody to "believe" in kiln god mythology. I only wonder
about this becauseI always have to post my kiln lore messages more than
once. I wonder if my messages are being accidently filtered out because
they contain the word "god."
Martie Geiger-Ho, Ph.D.
University Fellow
Academy of Visual Arts
Hong Kong Baptist University
Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
kilnlore@aol.com
www.kilnlore.com
Frank Colson on mon 10 jul 06
Martie- If you belive in kiln gods, then you have to believe in ASTROLOGY!
Therefore it is important to know what sign you are because THAT can really
influence the firing of your
kiln. If you are an AIRES : The Kiln God of Aires will guide the firing
expediently with enthusiastic energy!
TAURUS: The Kiln God of Taurus will see
that flame and heat are consitant: no hot spots, or uneven firings!
GEMINI: The Kiln God of Gemini expects
new and exciting results! (The firing is acknowledged!)
CANCER: The Kiln God of Cancer is
doggedly determined to achieve a firing that is gointg to be right!
LEO: The Kiln God of Leo already knows
BEFORE the firing starts that everything within will be a winner!
VIRGO: The Kiln God of Virgo will
double check that ware is stacked properly and everything is in place for a
perfect firing!
LIBRA: The Kiln God of Libra will
involve others when setting up the firing, then take all honors for splendid
results!
SCORPIO: The Kiln God of Scorpio is
VERY serious about setting up the firing and how it progresses every cone of
the way!
SAGITTARIUS: The Kiln God of
Sagittarious gets REALLY excited with the firing, and goes ballistic when
fantastic pots emerge!
AQUARIUS; The Kiln God of Aquarius can
be distressed knowing that each firing is going to be "different" than
before!
PISCES: The Kiln God of Pises becomes
upset and erratic if a critical remark is made during the firing!
FRANK COLSON
----- Original Message -----
From: "Martie (aka the Kiln Priestess)"
To:
Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2006 6:07 PM
Subject: Fan Sin Kung: Hong Kong's Only Kiln God Temple
Hello everyone:
OK, here I go again, singing the praises of Kiln Gods.
I have made several visits to Hong Kong's Fan Sin Kung temple (the new
train rail now hooks up with the subway making the journey a breeze) and I
think that I may have finally worked out the details of the mythology
behind Fan Tai Sin Tze. I was also able to interview the temple's
committee leader and he filled me in on a lot of the details that I was
looking for. Now I am working this material up into an article that I hope
some ceramic journal might want to publish. Does anyone have any ideas
about where I should send it?
I want to publish this material in a ceramic trade journal because I am
trying to make it accessible to other potters. There isn't much material
available in English on actual Chinese kiln god worship practices. I did
find a lot of information on Chinese kiln gods by using the Chinese Google
search engine, but of course the information is all in Chinese. My
husband, Kong has helped me to translate some of it, but he is a busy
painter and art professor and does not have a lot of time to try and
untangle the information for me.
I don't want to send my article in to an archeology journal because a lot
of professionals from various universities and other organizations have
already published extensive information about the ancient kiln site that
the temple once supported. It seems that not too many English speaking
people are interested in the mythology or current worship practices at
China's kiln god temples, so if I want to understand more about this topic
I have to research it myself. It is also a little difficult to find
information on "popular" or "folk" religion in Hong Kong and China because
most scholars are not interested in this topic and many Chinese people are
a little embarrassed by it because it is considered by some people to be
the old fashioned religion of the older generation. The people who worship
at the many folk temples around Hong Kong don't like to talk about their
beliefs because there isn't any real dogma that is spelled out for the
average person and people sort of follow their own needs and feelings when
it comes to worshiping. Of course there is a lot more to popular religion
than just lighting up a few sticks of incense, but I don't want to really
try to get more complex in my explanation at this time. (I do have some
good books about Chinese religion, but when it comes to understanding the
mythology of some of the various deities-well some of this information has
been lost.)
If anyone is looking for a good way to bless their kiln firing you can do
what some Chinese potters still do-write the name of a deity on a red
board or red piece of paper and then offer the plaque three sticks of
incense (minimum), your prayers, and maybe a few shiny oranges for good
luck. The names of Feng Huo Hsien and Fan Tai Sin Tze are a couple of good
kiln gods to start with. Also, I don't think that more than one kiln god
should be worshiped at a time. (Each special kiln site or ceramic
producing region in China has its own local kiln deity.)
Finally, I should add that only Chinese potters in Taiwan and mainland
China appear to still worship kiln gods before a firing. Hong Kong potters
are all modern studio potters and they don't seem to be very interested in
traditional Chinese beliefs (maybe modern electric kilns aren't conducive
to old traditions). Anyway, none of my Chinese potter friends in Hong Kong
had even heard of kiln gods before I explained my research to them. (Some
of my friends still think that I am making this stuff up.)
Martie
PS: I hope that everyone on the list understands that my ethnographic
research and sharing of kiln god informantion is in no way intended to try
and pursuade anybody to "believe" in kiln god mythology. I only wonder
about this becauseI always have to post my kiln lore messages more than
once. I wonder if my messages are being accidently filtered out because
they contain the word "god."
Martie Geiger-Ho, Ph.D.
University Fellow
Academy of Visual Arts
Hong Kong Baptist University
Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
kilnlore@aol.com
www.kilnlore.com
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m.mshelomi on mon 10 jul 06
LIBRA: The Kiln God of Libra will
> involve others when setting up the firing, then take all honors for
> splendid
> results!
I don't think so...
The Kiln God of Libra will insist on one spending hours loading, unloading
and
reloading a kiln to assure each shelf and the full kiln will be perfectly
balanced
and used efficiently.
pottermim on yet another sultry FL day
MLC on tue 11 jul 06
okay Frank
With which astrological calendar are you working. according different
calendars I come up with different signs. according to the current
Christian/secular calendar, I am a virgo. But according to the
current Jewish calendar, i am a libra. So even though I am forbidden
to worship graven images, which kiln god would I be following. but
then on the Chinese calendar I have a sign for the year I was born and
that doesn't seem to fit in with the gods that you have assigned.
I ask these questions with a tone of seriously sincere silliness.
Millie in Md. Where the sun is drawing the last 6 inches of rain from
the ground and turning it into humidity. And my 120 lb. Burnese
mountain dog 11 month old grand-puppy constantly smells like wet dog.
Fortunately my son brought one of my wheels up from the basement to the
deck before he went to the beach to catch some waves because a wave
caught him and now we are calling him the one armed wonder until all
the muscles etc regroup around his dislocated shoulder.
On Jul 10, 2006, at 3:42 PM, Frank Colson wrote:
Martie- If you belive in kiln gods, then you have to believe in
ASTROLOGY!
Therefore it is important to know what sign you are because THAT can
really
influence the firing of your kiln.
FRANK COLSON
Martie (aka the Kiln Priestess) on wed 12 jul 06
Hi Frank:
I do believe in Kiln Gods, and in Feng Shui, and anything else that will
allow me to redecorate with flowers, fish bowls, mirrors and lots of
incense. In fact, I bet that kilns would fire better if their door frames
were angled so that bad =93chi=94 couldn=92t flow inside.
I=92m pretty convinced that it doesn=92t take sparkling water, or, a battere=
d
blue fish to make a better glaze. I think that what potters everywhere
really need to do is to take stock of their environment so that they can
plan a better kiln yard where healthy chi can flow and carry good energy
into the kiln while flushing out dark, bad karma. While I concede that
some glaze firing problems might be solved by repeated pyrometer probings,
many irksome and annoying problems that some Clayarters have noted in
recent posts, such as things getting blow=92d up, dunting just as the meal
is being served, and the most horrible of all =96 glazes that crawl off of
pots during a firing and somehow end up on the ceiling of the kiln, need
to be solved in a different manner. In order to help put an end to the
misery of these afflictions I am offering the following advice:
1. Never put fish (alive or dead) in your glaze (kiln gods don=92t
really like fish and if you want to honor them with eats you have to place
your chunks of meat or cooked animals in front of the altar so that they
can enjoy their offering =96 of course you have to claim the meat or dish
after you are finished lighting the incense and saying your prayers).
2. Don=92t lite cigarettes and stand them on end hoping the kiln gods
will think that the smoke is coming from incense. I know someone who did
this and they have been cursed with the dunts ever since. (And this person
got off light =96 they could have been hit with terminal bloating or even
internal carbon coring, and we all know what that can do to your body.)
3. If you are firing a kiln in Japan, never steal the sake that has
been put out for the gods, or lick their little salt pillars. This is
worse than tugging on Superman=92s cape and can result in a person loosing
all of their aesthetic judgment. Your loss of aesthetic acuity will
sentence you to a life of not knowing porcelain from shineola.
4. Never chastise the kiln gods for not turning ugly pots into
beautiful swan pots. Maybe the kiln gods did their best and because of bad
karma, or maybe just plain bad studio procedures (the red herring in the
glaze bucket should have been a sign) the pot was not salvageable. It
happens. A bad concept here, a misjudgment there, a lot of chrome green
everywhere (undergraduate students love this stuff because it looks so
much like a real paint color) and ta-da!, an ugly pot that not even a kiln
god could love (or fix).
I hope that this advice helps put an end to bad karma and an end to the
cruel treatment of pots that must bear the burden of being scorned by kiln
gods who have been slighted or improperly honored. In the end we are
responsible for the Feng Shui in our studios.
Martie
(aka the Kiln Priestess who just today made a trip to the incense store
and is busy reading up on astrology, just in case)
May Luk on wed 12 jul 06
Dear Martie;
I was raised in Hong Kong. I read all your
well-written pieces about Kiln Gods and I found them
interesting and informative. Thanks for the
contribution.
I have not tried Feng Shui at the studio. My
distinctive Chinese practice is using number eight
with my electric firings. I fire to cone eight, with
top temperature set at 1238 C. Then I vary my hold
time to 28 mins, 38 mins etc. I use similar tactics
with firing down. No fours and no 13! My studio used
to be number 28, now I moved to number six. I
definitely am not as flush as before.
I know of one Chinese legend about where Dragon kiln
came about. Do you know where to look for more of
these stories?
Another suggestion for submitting articles. Ceramic
Review is UK based.
http://www.ceramicreview.com/
Regards
May
London, UK
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