Journal

Today’s Ume-chan's activity:  Higashi Youji, the representative director of Nanaore Ume Plum Cooperative Associationthe, helped us the other day and gave us ash of Nanaore Ume(plum) branches.　They say that they burn useless branches In November for a good harvest of plums in the following year. 　This year they gave us the ash of branches to cooperate with us.  From now on we levigate it and change into glaze.　I am looking forward to seeing the color.  Thank you, Mr. Higashi.
  After that, we analyze elements of plum ash at Ehime Prefectural Ceramic Technology Center.  (Pictures of test pieces were placed on a home page the other day.)　We found the ash includes many coloring components, such as over 10% iron oxide (Ⅲ)  and over 1% copper oxide (Ⅱ).　I can’t wait the future research.　Although the trees have only a few plums now and cannot have more plums next spring, we will continue our research harder.  (O.H.)