Raku
Raku fired Salmon
Raku is a firing technique which originated in Japan. The Japanese symbol for raku means enjoyment. Raku is a low temperature, primitive firing technique, involving a very rapid glaze firing cycle. The pots are removed red hot from the kiln and cooled rapidly, sometimes immersed immediately into water. In North America, raku often goes through a post firing reduction where the pots are removed from the kiln red hot then placed in a chamber with straw, sawdust or other organic materials then covered to reduce the oxygen in the atmosphere of the chamber causing varying amounts of reduction in the glazes. The raku body is still porous unlike stoneware and therefore is not suitable for functional ware. It is not recommended to keep liquids in raku vessels. Each raku pot is unique in texture, colour and the various amounts of reduction that may occur. Raku is meant to be enjoyed!
Figure pot - raku terra sigillata
Cedar pot - raku crackle glaze
