Raku (rah-koo); a Japanese style of low-firing that means ‘enjoyment’ or ‘happiness by chance’. Western raku involves bringing ceramic ware up to glowing temperatures of 1900°F, removing them from the kiln and putting them into combustion chambers. The piece ignites combustible materials which may include newspaper, pine wood shavings, or dried leaves. While in the chamber, reactions occur between the glaze and fire allowing the flames to be recorded onto the ware. This process gives each piece its own spontaneous, unique beauty.
“I look at the matter in this way; when I am making a pot on a wheel, if my stroke is too slow, then it bites deep but it is not steady; if my stroke is too fast, then it is steady, but does not go deep. The right pace, neither slow nor fast, cannot get into the hand unless it comes from the heart.”
— Chuang-Tzu
