Raku originated in 16th century Japan. It is a process where bisqued and glazed pottery is placed into a preheated kiln and fired to a temperature of 1800 degrees. Once the glaze has matured, the red hot pottery is removed from the kiln with steel tongs and placed in a metal can partially filled with a combustible material. (Newspaper or sawdust)  When the pottery flames up and ignites the lid is quickly placed on the trash can sealing the can. This creates an oxygen starved atmosphere called "The post fire reduction".  At this time the final glaze effects forming on the pottery range from bright copper metallic to to white crackle depending on the type of glaze used and the duration of the post fire reduction.  Once cooled, the piece is removed and cleaned of the carbon residue.  Because of the type of clay and the firing temperature the finished ware is very delicate and not suitable for food or liquids. Raku makes an aesthetic statement.

     Click here to see the process.                     Please see see gallery below.