Visiting a Dragon in Singapore

July 9, 2010

On day three in Singapore, Sophie, Memrie, and I got an early start and met up with the television crew at TK Pottery Jungle. TK stands for Thow Kwang, or Pottery and Prosperity in English, and is home to one of the last dragon kilns in Singapore. This behemoth kiln measures 130-feet long, 16-feet wide and contains three main parts – a front firing chamber, the main chamber where ceramic pieces to be fired are placed, and a chimney at the tail end where smoke is emitted. When it is lit and glowing, the kiln resembles an irate fire-breathing dragon. Fired just twice a year, I was thrilled to have the honor of lighting the kiln during our visit.

Upon arrival, we were met by Yulianti Oey and her husband, Tan Teck Yoke, who is a second-generation potter in Singapore. His father was the founder of the TK industry and Tan Teck Yoke inherited the family business when his father passed away. I hope you will enjoy this little tour of TK Pottery Jungle.

: I was very honored because I was invited to light the enormous Dragon Kiln.

: To fire up the 130-foot kiln, mounds of wood are required!

: This behemoth kiln is fired only twice a year.

: Here I am with Yulianti Oey as she explains to me how this magnificent dragon kiln works.

: This dragon kiln was built in 1940 and it is capable of firing up to 5,000 individual pieces of ceramic works in one session!

: Before each lighting of the kiln, a sacred Taoist prayer ceremony is held. This is an offering of roasted duck and pork and fresh fruit.

: A very beautiful abstract vase fired previously in the kiln

: More pottery creations on display

: Yulianti Oey passes the religious offerings to her husband Tan Teck Yoke.

: The offerings are placed on the kiln’s alter, honoring the God of the Kiln.

: Mary Ann and Frankie always work hard to get interesting camera angles. The heat was oppressive that day and the kiln had not yet been lit!

: Here I am preparing to light the kiln.

: The flame comes from one sacred candle, used in the Taoist ceremony.

: Igniting the wood

: Then, Tan Teck Yoke lit some ceremonial incense.

: After the initial lighting, the TK staff got busy loading more wood into the kiln.

: The shop is located in an adjacent building.

: Meanwhile, the crew was taping.

: The fire quickly grew.

: Tan Teck Yoke adjusting the alter

: More offerings for the ceremony

: Soon after lighting, smoke began to seep through the expansion cracks of the kiln.

: As the fire intensifies, the kiln actually begins to glow, causing its long shape to look just like a raging fire-blowing dragon.

: Here’s a diagram of the dragon kiln.

: Here are some interesting pots made by the students.

: A personal TK collection on display

: A potter busy at work creating a rather large piece

: This is very physical work as this potter’s wheel is powered by leg strength.

: A smaller electric wheel

: And another

: This sign is warning visitors not to feed the many monkeys located around TK Pottery. They are wild and can be dangerous.

: Clay being readied for the wheel

: Clay for other projects

: Glazes and tools of the trade

: Pots are loaded into the kiln through a number of entrances, which are seal off before the kiln is lit.

: A view of the store – It is very large.

: TK has collaborated with renowned pottery and porcelain-works in China and Taiwan to develop and transfer traditional and Chinese ceramic artistry to Singapore.