Raku Firing Process Ceramics

I prefer a soft brick kiln to fiber.

Raku firing process ceramics. This article will discuss western style raku developed by paul soldner in the 1960s. Raku ceramics are loaded into a cold kiln and the kiln is heated rapidly sometimes the cycles in which the pieces are fired are very short as little as 15 to 20 minutes in cases differing vastly to traditional firing cycles of around 10 hours. Many people are interested in raku firing. The unpredictability of the process keeps potters and ceramic artists coming back to the raku firing technique again and again.

Eastern style raku firing. One of these is raku firing. True japanese raku refers to pottery made by a specific family in japan for pottery that is specifically made for the japanese tea ceremony. At studio 2185 there are a variety of practices and talents.

Over the past couple of decades raku firing has become very popular. This video features maria albornoz and carol stirton broad aac faculty using our raku kiln. When potter john ramer sherrill first started out using the raku firing technique he was frustrated by the lack of technical information on raku in books. Once the materials ignite the containers are closed.

Raku generally refers to a type of low firing process that was inspired by traditional japanese raku firing. Raku is an exciting ceramics firing technique because you are so involved in the firing process. Western style raku usually involves removing pottery from the kiln while at bright red heat and placing it into containers with combustible materials. The first step in the raku kiln firing process is to set up the kiln.

In a raku firing the piece is taken from the fire at the hight of i. You ve got glowing hot pots smoke. A process in which work is removed from the kiln at bright red heat and subjected to post firing reduction or smoking by being placed in containers of combustible materials which blackens raw clay and causes crazing in the glaze surface. There are many ways of making and firing a raku kiln.

When most potters in the west think of raku firing they think of what should technically be referred to as american or western raku. Raku ware 楽焼 raku yaki is a type of japanese pottery traditionally used in japanese tea ceremonies most often in the form of chawan tea bowls. What follows is the approach that i have developed that works for the type of raku ware i produce.