raku index

explanation
1. raku clay

gallery

vase & vessel
chalice & goblet

Raku jewellery

copper matte

Animation
Raku Events

RAKU Video
4min 10 MB mpg

References

copper turquoise

Craquelé

smoke fire

1. The raw material

This difference can already be seen in the composition of the clay bodies: Because the Raku pottery has to survive the burning process, that has high temperature varieties, without breaking, Raku clay is very chunky and contains a lot of grog or chamotte (refractory clay). Many experiments and attempts were necessary in order to get suitable shock-resistant fine clay body. Generally, small lime content and additives of talcum powder and Lithiumoxid affect themselves positively, but, on the other hand, this can also affect the flexibility of the clay. This leads to the fact that for the different processing techniques (throwing, rolling/shaping, modelling) and others, several different clay offsets are necessary.

Especially with "paste on" decorations, there is often the problem of the clay breaking off while cooling down. One therefore rarely sees a Raku art piece with set handles, etc.

In addition, the ambition of the ceramist is to work as finely and intricately as possible- with Raku, there are limits: Raku work must not lose too much heat on the short way from the furnace to the reduction container. The result: The more mass and the less working surface for temperature difference that an object has, the larger the chance that it survives the firing without incurring damages.
 

This page is not yet finished, but here are a few images

some Images while firing Raku...

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