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RAKU POTTERY
Raku pottery originates out of Japan from an ancient Zen tea ceremony. A leading warrior statesman of the late 16th century, shogun (and eventually “Lord Chancellor of Japan”) Toyotomi Hideyoshi, commissioned a potter, Chojiro, to produce special vessels for the tea ceremony, thus awarding the potter an emblem bearing the japanese character for “Raku,” which Chojiro adopted as his family name, as well as stamping the emblem into all the new pottery. Since then, sixteen generations of Japanese Raku masters have continued the legacy of making Raku-ware for Japan’s tea ceremonies. Rich in culture and spirituality, the raku of ancient Japan is a far cry from the western style of Raku pottery, sharing only techniques such as low-temperature firing, pulling out red-hot fired pieces with tongs and setting them aside.
Now, the process of western-style Raku also involves placing vessels in a specially constructed kiln that fires to about 1600 degrees fahrenheit, then immediately
transferring them to a pit in the ground or a metal can containing combustible materials such as leaves or wood. The fire and smoke produce unexpected results
such as luster, crackled, smokey and swirling finishes in a variety of textures and colors. The possibilities are unlimited, which is the joy of this kind of firing. My own Raku and pit-fired pieces are created in a single wheel-throwing session, then glazed and fired to enhance and conform to the shape of the art piece.
Because of my techniques, no piece can be duplicated. Over 32 years of experience has given me the skills to master color effects and influence textures on the
vessels, however the beauty and joy of the art form comes from the accidents and unexpected results that occur from the touch of the fire and smoke.
BURNISHED PIT-FIRED POTTERY
This type of pottery is produced from the oldest style of firing known. Early civilizations fired their pottery by burning their vessels in a pit filled with wood and
igniting it. Before the firing of the vessel, the pieces are buffed smooth with a polished object, like a stone, to create a glassy surface. American natives were
known for this burnishing technique as well.