The technique of RAKU firing

The Happiness is in the Fortune!

The Raku pottery barn - The Raku Kiln

The History of RAKU ware

The technique of Raku ware was first developed in Japan by Chojiro the  founder of the Raku dynasty, in the 16th century. 

At the beginning of the 16th century, colored glazed potteries were produced in the region of Kyoto, in Japan, using a technology originating from China. This technique was then employed by Chojiro to produce tea bowls for the tea ceremony. These tea bowls were called "Rakuyaki" (Raku wares), from the name of "Jurakudai",  the palace of Chojiro's protector. Chojiro adopted the name Raku, which can be translated as joy, happiness, for his tea bowls and the name Raku even became attached to Chojiro's family. 

The main characteristics of the original Raku tea bowls were simplicity of forms and absence of decoration in a perfect harmony with the spirit of the tea ceremony. Raku has evolved since then to become a popular form of art.

The technique of RAKU firing

Raku is a pottery firing technique that uses fire and smoke to create unique patterns on the glaze. 

The sandstone piece is fashioned, slowly polished, then cooked in a 1020°C gas kiln. We get a unglazed porcelain, the glaze is displayed, then cooked again in a 960°c kiln.

The Raku firing technique differs from almost all other pottery techniques in which the pieces are loaded in a cold kiln and slowly fired until the desired temperature is reached. Then the kiln is shut off and cools down until the pieces can be removed. 

With Raku, the wares are loaded in a hot kiln and the firing process then goes much faster. When the firing is completed, the pieces are immediately removed from the hot kiln, with the glaze still molten. Experienced Raku potters are able to know that the firing is achieved by visually checking the glaze melt . The pieces are then placed in a container with sawdust or paper. With the instant draw from the kiln, the thermal choc will provoke cracks which will be revealed with the smoke produced by the burning sawdust. The reaction with the glaze produces the typical unique patterns of Raku wares.