Raku/Sculptures

     Raku is a Japanese style of pottery first made during the 1580’s by the Zen Buddhist Masters for tea ceremonies. Raku generally refers to a type of low-firing process. 

     Raku firing is one of the most natural techniques that you can experience in pottery. All of nature's elements are used when doing Raku firing ….. earth, fire, air, and water. The earth is used to create the piece, then it is placed into a reduction chamber kiln, then quickly dunked into water. The cold water stops the firing process. In Western-style raku, we remove our pieces from the kiln during bright red heat and place them into containers or in to small grooves dug into the surface of the soil with combustible materials laid in them. When the materials catch fire, the containers are closed, or the soil surface is covered/snuffed with usually a metal pail turned upside down. This results in an intense reduction atmosphere and affects the glaze colours and clay bodies. The thermal shock is drastic which produces a deliberate crackling effect.   The name raku roughly translates as 'happiness in the accident' or others state ‘Joyful adventure’. Raku pieces are not recommended for food use.