I had an amazing three weeks stay at Hyangjong's studio in Hwasun, Korea in 2018. He was extremely generous with his time showing us his working methods and taking us around the surrounding areas.
This video shows a very rare onggi making process using handmade slabs. The three-day wood firing process was truly an experience to remember. My favourite shift was 2am-6pm when I went to bed with the sunrise! Enjoy the video! Thank you!
What is Onggi, exactly?
Hyangjong Oh explains that Onggi emerged as a distinctive style during the late Joesen period towards the end of the 18th century. He identifies five broad characteristics that make a work quintessentially Onggi:
1) Clay: Use of unprocessed, natural clay taken directly from the earth. The only change made to the raw clay by Hyangjong for example, is grinding down any large stones within it.
2) Technique: Use of the paddling technique (수레질 “Surayjil”). Hyangjong said that the paddling technique is not exclusive to Onggi and was used more generally in pre-Joesen era celadon ceramics.
3) Glaze: Use of natural glaze, typically made with just two ingredients, raw clay and wood ash
4) Firing: Fired to stoneware temperature 1,280 °C using a single, oxidisation raw firing (i.e. there is no bisque firing).
5) Form: While Onggi vessels come in many different sizes, they all share a distinctive form and aesthetic.