Raku originated in Japan in 1573 to make tea ware with Zen aesthetics. Raku is one of the most exciting and rewarding ceramic processes and means pleasure, enjoyment and contentment. The teamwork involved in Raku firing creates camaraderie among students and teachers.
For Raku a bisque item is covered with a special glaze, then fired to red hot and taken out of the kiln. This is one of the factors that causes the crackling on the glaze surface. Then it is reduced in sawdust which gives the copper colours.
Because of all the variables during the Raku process, the unpacking of the reduction chamber is like opening a gift.
Always remember to be safe, you are working / playing with fire.
