Raku Firing (Ting Shu)

Raku firing was so cool! I took ceramic II this semester. Most of my works during this semester were doing onthe wheel. I had a hard beginning, because it was really hard to control the clay and throw it on the wheel, but is easier to make a blow trimmed than hand buling. In the end, I got a chance to Raku fired my works.

"Rakuyaki (楽焼) or Raku (樂) is a form of Japanese pottery characterized by low firing temperatures (resulting in a fairly porous body), lead glazes, and the removal of pieces from the kiln whiel still glowing hot. In the traditional Japanese firing process, the pot is removed from the hot kiln and put directly into water or allowed to cool in the open air. Raku is considered the traditonal method for creating bowls for the japanese tea ceremony. Raku tea bows are hand-made from earthenware, each with a unique shape and style. Raku techniques have been adopted and modified by contemporary potters worldwide."
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raku)

The kiln of raku firing on our campus. The works were firing in the kiln.

It was really hot when you approach the kiln. Unglazed was still white when it firing in the kiln.

Put some of the incendive firewoods in the metal pail.

The firewoods were burning by the high temperature from the works.

Cover the pail, and wait about 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, unglazed changed black.
They were still so hot!

Water let the works were cold quickly,

and made some pretty cracks on the glaze.

At last, washed by the cleanser.

This is one of my ruka firing works.

work cited

"Raku Ware"

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raku>04/29/08