Raku Ware

Raku is a way of firing ceramics based on an ancient Japanese method.

My raku pieces are biscuit fired to about 1000 degrees C this takes about 12 hours. When it has cooled I apply the various glazes, re-pack them into the kiln and fire it again to roughly the same temperature until the glazes are molten. Once the kiln is at full heat, I remove the glowing red pots using long handled steel tongues and plunge them into fireproof containers of sawdust or other combustible material. This produces masses of smoke which blackens the unglazed areas and creates various effects on the glazes. After the soot and ash has been scrubbed away the delicate lustres and dark crackle lines are revealed.

Due to the low firing temperature raku ware is porous and therefore is best not immersed in water so to keep it clean just give it an occasional dusting with a dry soft brush.

 

More information can be found here