Two Day Raku

Raku is a pottery firing process developed in 16th century Japan for the Japanese tea ceremony. The word raku translates loosely…

Raku is a pottery firing process developed in 16th century Japan for the Japanese tea ceremony. The word raku translates loosely as enjoyment, happiness or comfort. The process involves ceramic pieces being glazed then fired in an outside kiln to a temperature of approximately 1000 degrees.

 

The pieces are then removed from the gas fired kiln and buried in sawdust – creating a reduction chamber. This reduction atmosphere changes the molten glaze to produce the array of colourful, lustrous crackle glazes that are associated with Raku pottery. Raku firing is considered to be one of the most dramatic and exciting ways to fire pottery.

Graham Hudson