Tea Moments With Kevin

Soda firing is a ceramic technique where sodium carbonate (soda ash) is introduced into a hot kiln, creating distinctive and unpredictable glazes. The process starts with loading pottery into the kiln and heating it to high temperatures, typically around cone 10 (2350°F or 1287°C). Soda ash is then introduced, either by spraying a soda solution into the kiln or by placing soda-soaked materials inside. The soda vaporizes and interacts with the clay and glazes, forming a unique sodium-silicate glaze. This results in a variety of surface textures and colors, from glossy to matte, often with tactile qualities. Soda-fired pottery is characterized by its variation and uniqueness, with each piece displaying different markings and colors. This technique has historical roots in the 15th-century European salt firing but gained popularity in the 20th-century United States. Modern ceramic artists appreciate soda firing for its spontaneity and the unique outcomes it produces. The benefits of soda f...

Tea, as a traditional beverage in ancient China, carries rich cultural connotations and historical accumulation. Tea drinking is not only a way of life but also a spiritual enjoyment and a sanctuary for the soul. In ancient times, tea drinking was regarded as a way to connect with nature, whether it was on grass mats in the mountains or in tranquil rooms, one could feel the fragrance and aura of tea. These wonderful tea cultures were also vividly expressed in ancient poems, let us appreciate their charm together. 六羡歌 唐·陆羽 不羡黄金罍，不羡白玉杯； 不羡朝入省，不羡暮入台； 惟羡西江水，曾向金陵城下来。 Six Envious Songs By Lu Yu, Tang Dynasty Not envious of golden flasks, nor of white jade cups; Not envious of morning court sessions, nor of evening palace visits; Only envious of the waters of the West River, once flowing beneath the walls of Jinling City. 九日与陆处士羽饮茶 唐·皎然 九日山僧院，东篱菊也黄。 俗人多泛酒，谁解助茶香。 Drinking Tea with Master Lu Yu on the Ninth Day By Jiao Ran, Tang Dynasty On the ninth day, at the mountain monk's temple, the e...

Kintsugi, also known as Kintsukuroi, is a unique and exquisite art form that goes beyond simple restoration; it embodies a philosophical perspective. Rooted in the rich cultural soil of Japan, Kintsugi involves repairing damaged pottery using various types of lacquer, such as raw lacquer, black lacquer, and Benpi lacquer, mixed with gold powder, silver powder, or platinum powder. Unlike conventional repair techniques, Kintsugi celebrates the history of an object by embracing its flaws, rather than concealing them. The process of Kintsugi is a ritualistic and respectful one, where artisans meticulously handle every imperfection, as if revealing the vessel's historical memory. Each patch and each thread of gold become an indelible mark of the pottery's life journey, breathing new life into them. These objects no longer remain inanimate artifacts but transform into vessels with captivating stories to tell. The philosophy of Kintsugi harmonizes with the Japanese aesthetic of "...