Collection: Raku

Raku is an ancient technique of firing clay, the roots of which go back to 16th century Japan.  Unlike other glaze firings where the kiln is slowly brought up to temperature and then allowed to cool slowly, raku is fired very quickly--from room temperature to 1750 and back to room temperature in about an hour. When the kiln has reached the correct temperature, it is opened, the pieces are removed using long tongs, placed in a pit lined with sawdust, and quickly covered with a metal pot or container that is lined with straw.  The combustibles use up the oxygen in the container, producing gorgeous metallic colors. The unglazed areas of the pot absorb carbon from the burning organic matter and become black.  If the metal container is lifted at the correct moment during cooling, oxygen is added to the environment, the glaze cools at a more rapid rate causing it to crack. The crackle pattern shows up beautifully as those minor cracks in the glaze absorb the carbon and turn black.