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| Raku ( pronounced râ
koo´ ) is a pottery-making process developed
in 16th-century Japan, where raku pots were prized
tea ceremony vessels. |
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The raku process
has changed over the centuries, but it still
refers to pottery that is fired quickly and
then pulled from the red-hot kiln to be rapidly
cooled by plunging in water or a metal bucket
of dried leaves or sawdust.
Besides being one of the most exciting ways
to fire pottery, a good raku firing results
in pots with dramatic fire marks and beautiful
iridescent glazes with characteristic crackle
patterns.
Raku is a very unique ceramic firing process.
The formula used for the glazes often contain
a lot of copper. Each piece is fired in a
kiln until it reaches approximately 1800F
degrees. |
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Click
here or on the picture to see the finished
piece |
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| At that time, the piece
is carefully removed, with long tongs, and placed
in a paper lined metal can. The heat from the piece
ignites the paper, causing a reaction with the copper
in the glaze. |
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Pieces taken out of kiln and put into trash
cans full of paper |
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The result is
a wide range of colors on the surface of the
piece. The metal can is covered with a lid,
and the ware is allowed to cool for a while
in the reduction atmosphere (until it is cool
enough to handle).
The piece is then removed from the can and
the beautiful colors, lusters, and patterns
are revealed. After a little cleaning to remove
excess carbon the true beauty of the piece
can be enjoyed.
Each piece of raku is a one of a kind work
of art! |
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| Go
to my Raku slideshow >> |
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