The Raku

The Raku

The word “raku” is used to describe a particular ceramic technique, originated in Japan in the XVIth century.
Its creator, Chojiro, is the progenitor of a potter dynasty, the so called Raku dynasty. Since 15 generations they have been carrying on this traditional and particolar technique.
In Japan Raku is related to the tea-ceremony (cha-no-yu). Every single object is the result of a very precise series of operations, which take almost a ritual aspect.
After the publication of Bernard Leach’s book: “ Potter’s Book”, Raku spread also in the West, and it underwent radical changes.
The peculiarity of Raku lies in the fact that the ceramics come out of the kiln while they’re still hot, so that they can be reshaped.
Many potters change the way of working Raku all the time, in order to obtain new and always unpredictable results.
The charming of Raku lies also in its surprising final effect.