The
art of Raku originated in Japan in the16th century, where
raku vessels were and still are used in the
traditional tea ceremony.
It is a low-fire technique, where bisqued (fired
once) work is then quickly heated to red hot temperature and then taken
out of the kiln and finished in wood shavings, newspaper or a
similar combustible material. The smoking then reduces
the glaze which then takes on a finish unique to
itself . Raku, with its
battle with the elements of fire and smoke is an exciting
technique, one that is suited to communal firings, as many
dedicated workshops can testify. While it is an age-old
tradition from Japan, it has found many devout followers in
western ceramic communities.
