Raku is a dramatic firing technique where pottery is pulled from the kiln at peak temperature and subjected to rapid cooling or reduction. In Western studio ceramics, the glowing pieces are placed into containers of combustible materials like sawdust or paper, which ignite and starve the glaze of oxygen. This thermal shock and heavy reduction create unpredictable metallic lusters, deep crackle patterns, and blackened unglazed clay.
Heard on the job
We're doing a Raku firing this weekend, so make sure your pieces are glazed and completely bone dry.
Insider tip
True Japanese Raku focuses on hand-built tea bowls removed from the kiln and cooled in air or water, whereas Western Raku almost always involves a post-firing reduction in combustible material.