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The making of Raku Pottery is a Japanese tradition
The orgin of Raku goes back to the 16th. century Japan where it was developed as the Ceremonial Tea Ware of the Zen Buddhist Masters. The tea ceremony, with the help of Raku-fired bowls, was used to bridge the distance between spirit & embodiment. It was, & still is a way to view eternal virtures in ordinary things & events. Raku pottery, because it doesn't live well in the kitchen (not being fired high enoug to be water tight), has become artfully spirit-centered. According to the Zen Master, its elusive, subtle, yet vigorous beauty is Raku's only worth. It is valued because it is believed that the Spirit of the Maker is embodied in the form & revealed at the foot, which is traditionally left naked (unglazed). It is believed that if we are alert to ourselves in contemplating the Raku form, we will recognize in our own Spirit & Meaning. Raku allows the potter to be fully involved in the firing process, acting as a midwife aiding in the birth of the pots from the fire. All pieces are wheel thrown and of Gallery or Art Show quality.
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Raku Urn
Currently for sale at my Ruby Lane storefront through my representative, Julie Dickerson of Cherubic P.R. To see my storefront go to:
http://cherubicpr.rubylane.com/ |
Raku Pottery is forced. . .
After shaping the clay, glazing and firing it at about 2,000 degrees, the vase is put into a container of combustibles (paper, sawdust, leaves) bringing the temperature down to about 800 degrees. The burnining of the combustibles changes the glaze into unpredictable colors. Then the vase is plunged into water taking it to room temperature quickly. The shocks in quick temperature change make the glaze crackle and the colors change. Each one is so very unique!! Here is the red hot kiln! |
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Fresh from the kiln
Jim McDowell prepares to dunk a vase fresh from the kiln (approx 2,000 degrees) into a can of combustibles. |
Forced cooling . . .
From almost 2,000 degrees the vase drops to about 800 degrees in the combustibes can which bursts into flame, marking the vase and changing the glaze color. There is so much smoke during this process that it's hard to get a photo. Here is the vase being removed from the combustibles and being readied to dunk into the water.
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Cooling off
The vase is plunged into water and the shock severly crackles the glaze. Here Jim McDowell rinses off the vase after it has cooled in the water tub. |
A new creation
Jim McDowell holds the newly created raku pot joyfully admiring the unique colors, crackling, and paths of glaze which are so different every time a pot or vase is created in this process.
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The finished pot
Up for sale on eBay now! Search under sellers for "cherubicpr" and find the listings for Jim McDowell's pottery, including this incredible Raku vase. |
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