Looking for Something Different?

Why not visit our online shop for an eclectic mix of African inspired home accessories, arts and gifts.

Raku Pottery

Raku or Rakuyaki pottery originated in Japan in the 16th century. There appears to be some dispute as to whether the term represents the technique of how the pots are made or refers to the family of Japanese potters from Kyoto who originally created the technique. It has also been suggested that the term raku is derived from the area around Kyoto where the specific type of clay was dug. For many years the technique was passed down within this one family but in the 18th century a manual of pottery manufacture was published. After this was available numerous workshops both professional and amateur in and around Kyoto started making Raku pottery.

Whatever the origins of the term the distinctive characteristics of the technique are the use of low-temperature and interrupted firing. Of all firing techniques, raku is probably one of the most exciting, and as a medium its use is more decorative than utilitarian.

After initially firing the piece in a kiln, it is glazed and a second firing is started. It is then removed from the kiln when the glaze has melted and still glowing red hot at temperatures of 1600 - 1800C and put directly into a sealed container containing combustible material such as leaves, sawdust or wood shaving or even pine needles. After the intense heat causes the materials within the container to ignite, a lid is placed over the top and the raku pottery sealed inside. The raku pottery is capable of withstanding this thermal shock technique because of the special type of clay it is made of. Other more traditional clays would crack from this drastic temperature change. This is called post reduction during which the oxygen is burned out of the glaze taking the colorants back to a metal producing the metallic luster seen in raku pottery. Any part of the clay body that is not glazed will absorb the smoke and thus will also demonstrate Raku’s signature as a rich black colour. Once the pieces have cooled, they are carefully washed to remove soot and ash residues.

This technique therefore creates this spectacular metallic lustre and crackle effects within the glaze that it so characteristic of this pottery. This also results is a wide range of colors on the surface of the piece. No two pieces are exactly alike. The pieces come in a large range of traditional and contemporary colours to complement any colour theme in your home.