A Nighttime Raku Firing
Raku Firing
The Raku technique originated in Japan during the 16th century. In the 1960’s Hal Riegger and Paul Soldner
popularized Raku in North America with their own variation of the technique. They removed pieces from the kiln while
the glazes were still molten at the peak of the firing and placed them in containers filled with combustible materials.
The resulting combustion and smoky atmosphere create lustrous and iridescent effects on glazes, along with
crackling and carbon markings. The result of this memorable process is an explosion of color on the surface of
the glaze with a detailed map of colored cracks and patterns. Raku pottery usually will not hold water, but plastic liners
will work for vases intended for fresh flowers. Raku IS NOT food safe, and is not suitable for anything coming into
contact with food.
The Raku technique originated in Japan during the 16th century. In the 1960’s Hal Riegger and Paul Soldner
popularized Raku in North America with their own variation of the technique. They removed pieces from the kiln while
the glazes were still molten at the peak of the firing and placed them in containers filled with combustible materials.
The resulting combustion and smoky atmosphere create lustrous and iridescent effects on glazes, along with
crackling and carbon markings. The result of this memorable process is an explosion of color on the surface of
the glaze with a detailed map of colored cracks and patterns. Raku pottery usually will not hold water, but plastic liners
will work for vases intended for fresh flowers. Raku IS NOT food safe, and is not suitable for anything coming into
contact with food.
winter night firing of Raku, very colorful
5 inches of fresh snow does not stop us! Vase is being placed into reduction garbage can where it will stay for about 30 minutes
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