Raku Workshops

My Raku workshops typically included two types of Raku firings -- 'traditional Raku' and 'horsehair/feather Raku'. Traditional Raku is based on a firing technique that originated in 16th century Japan (the word 'Raku' being the Japanese word for 'pleasure' or 'enjoyment').  In the contemporary/western approach to traditional Raku, pots are quickly heated until the glazes are completely molten, carefully removed from the kiln with long steel tongs, and placed in metal containers filled with combustible materials (sawdust, paper, etc.) to create a ‘reduction’ environment (along with a lot of fire and smoke!).  After being sealed for 15-30 minutes, the pieces are then removed and immersed in water or left to slowly cool down.  This Raku firing technique results in wonderful coppery, metallic, and crackled glaze surfaces and deep smoky black unglazed surfaces.   

Horsehair and Feather Raku:  Horsehair/feather raku is similar to traditional Raku in that the pots are rapidly heated in a kiln, however, no glazes are used.  The pots are then removed and the horsehair / feathers are quickly applied, creating beautiful and striking designs.  Note that both traditional Raku and horsehair Raku pots are purely decorative and not intended for food or water use.