How To Raku Ceramics

Watch this ceramics tutorial video to learn how to use the technique of raku firing.

How to raku ceramics.

This instructional video is full of helpful tips for how to raku fire but it is not for beginners. In its original japanese form raku pottery was typically hand built and used to make tea bowls. The appeal was heightened in japan when the ware was created for use in japanese tea ceremonies. Raku ware 楽焼 raku yaki is a type of japanese pottery traditionally used in japanese tea ceremonies most often in the form of chawan tea bowls.

This tutorial video provides answers on the beauty and function of raku pots as well as some great ideas for home decoration. However to clean raku pottery after it has been fired you do need to use some elbow grease. Raku is a japanese word that can be translated as enjoyment happiness or comfort. In my material science class the entire class made raku pots when we were studying ceramics.

Over the years the raku pottery process has evolved. Delving further into raku s history it dates right back to the early 1550s as mentioned specifically for the zen buddhist masters in their ceremonial teaware it s been well documented that this was the favored method of ceramics for the zen buddhist masters as raku ware touches on many of the things that zen philosophy embodies most notably its simplicity and naturalness. In 1580 the potter chijiro is thought to be the first to produce this form of ware. These are small semi porous drinking vessels used in a japanese tea ceremony.

It is traditionally characterised by being hand shaped rather than thrown fairly porous vessels which result from low firing temperatures lead glazes and the removal of pieces from the kiln while still glowing hot. Part 1 of 2 how to raku fire. Simon leach from simon leach ceramics provides some great workshop footage on preparing to glaze raku ceramic pots. Because raku pottery is a low fire process it is relatively fragile once fired.

The raku pottery tradition originated in japan in the 16 th century. This process requires caution due to high temperatures. Most glazes just have oxidized metals and their color comes from. Glazed raku surfaces can be scrubbed with some vigor to reveal the underlying glaze surface.

Simon walks you through the process of glazing these pots including important specifics about proper materials and methods easy recipes for making your. True japanese raku refers to pottery made by a specific family in japan for pottery that is specifically made for the japanese tea ceremony. This article will discuss western style raku developed by paul soldner in the 1960s. Raku pottery is mainly used for decoration rather than being functional.