Western Raku is an extension of this process, developed when it was realised that Raku firing lends itself to creating unique hand crafted pottery. Each piece is removed from the gas kiln, glowing brightly at over 950oC (an amazing sight) and is immediately placed into a container half full of sawdust. This catches fire spontaneously, with huge flames and great volumes of smoke. The container is sealed to produce a reducing atmosphere, but may be opened later to induce partial oxidation. The glaze crazes are blackened by the smouldering sawdust. This process is largely uncontrolled and the slight imperfections that appear in the glaze are all part of the attraction and excitement of raku glazing.
It was introduced to the west by Bernard Leech and has been growing in popularity ever since.
The five Chinese elements of Earth, Metal, Fire, Wood and Water, - as well as the four "Western" elements of Earth, Fire, Air and Water - are all used appropriately in the creation of each item, to maintain a harmony between the product and its manufacture.
The vessel is made out of Earth; Metal is added in the form of oxides to sheathe the surface; Fire transforms the clay and glazes in the kiln;
The incandescent ware is removed from the kiln and immediately buried in Wood shavings, where secondary reduction takes place, transfoming the oxide-rich glazes to pure Metal. Differences in oxygen levels in the Air cause patterns to form on the metallic surface; These are fixed by quenching in Water.
This elemental harmony makes for great Fung Shui - put a raku pot in a position that seems to need more energy and see what a difference it makes.
Click on the HISTORY link below to learn more about the fascinating pedigree of this ancient art.