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Through the refinement of their arts and crafts skills ninja are better able to appreciate the beauty around them. Through this meditative reflection a ninja becomes more centred and focused which makes them better able to carry out their honoured task with refinement and competence.
Furoshiki cloths are a wonderful way to wrap presents for that special person.
The furoshiki cloths I sell can be marbled in the tray here using the dyes available. Once dry you will be able to wrap items in it for a delightful way of presenting a gift. -- [Iki Banu on furoshiki cloths]
Cloths start off plain when bought from Iki and can be used to wrap your present as is. However, the real beauty lies in creating a lovely marble pattern and dying the cloth with that pattern before using it to wrap your special present.
This may sound easy, but like so many of our crafts it is very hard to master.
The tray must be filled with water before you add dyes to it. You may add a number of colours to the tray before using a marbling comb to create a pattern which will then be transferred onto your cloth.
The art of pottery is an involved and time consuming one. There are a number of processes which must be observed so that the piece will not explode in the kiln. Firstly you must throw the clay onto the wheel with sufficient force to drive out the last of the air trapped within. Then you may mould the clay into the required shape. I have always found pots to be the easiest to start on, followed by bowls, then hollow balls, arranging vases and finally standing vases.
I sell clay which can be used in the pottery room east of here to create all sorts of pots, including the vase used in flower arranging. The process is simple; first you throw the clay onto the wheel, then you can stain, glaze or sign your work and fire it in the kiln, after sufficient drying time. -- [Iki Banu on pottery]
Once the clay is in the shape you require you must put it to dry on the drying racks. Once dry the item can be signed, stained and glazed in that order. There is no requirement for you to do all three, but the steps must be completed in that order in observance of tradition and good design.
Now you are ready to fire your pottery. This is the make or break step. If you have not expelled all the air, or have not allowed the piece to dry completely then your efforts will explode in a shower of red hot clay fragments. If your skills are insufficient to the task then the piece may also explode. Be mindful to keep an eye on your pottery while it is being fired. Remember to check it regularly and use a pair of tongs to remove completed pieces.
The pottery room is quite good you know. You can make all sorts of pots there, even the vases needed for flower arranging. -- [Iki Banu on the pottery room]
Now all you need to do is leave them to cool for a moment on the rack and you can admire your new piece of pottery.
You will quite often be able to find the tools needed to make pottery in the communal chest. Remember to put the tools back once you have finished with them so that the next crafter may use them.
The first step when arranging flowers is to create a suitable vase in which to do it. You must get hold of an arranging vase, either by making one in the pottery room or by asking an older ninja to make one for you.
Using a special vase, which you can create in the pottery room, you can arrange the flowers available here. A completed arrangement allows one to insert a poisoned gardenia as an interesting means of poisoning someone. -- [Iki Banu on the art of flower arranging]
Once you have your vase you need to be in Iki Banu's craft room. From there it is a simple case of arranging your flowers.
Arranging flowers is very meditative. -- [Iki Banu]
After you have arranged your flowers you may have Iki Banu inspect your arrangement by presenting it to her. Beware, Iki isn't one to beat around the bush and if she does not like your arrangement she will not mince her words when telling you so.
Many skills are used to craft the various pieces, most of which are located in the craft skill tree.
One of the most used skills is crafts.arts.design, although you will need many skills in order to become a crafts master.