Pottery

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Raku Fired Pottery
Raku, is an ancient Japanese technique. The pots are glazed, heated quickly in a small kiln until melting point. Then removed with tongs, plunged into sawdust or other materiel which deprives the Glaze of oxygen, and creates vibrant, lustrous colours.

 

Raku pinch pots with copper lustre
hot pot being placed in sawdust

This medium is popular with potters across the world, everyone has their own tricks, one of mine is using Shredded junk mail ! the smoke is less irritating to lung and eyes and burns fast creating rapid results.

Here the Hot pot is placed in a bin of sawdust before the glaze has time to solidify . The metal tongs and welders mitts are used . next the pot is covered with more sawdust or other combustible material.
hot raku kiln with lid removed
sawdust igniting
lifting pot from flaming bin
After a few minutes the pot is removed from the bin and plunged in water, this is very dramatic, with flying sparks, steam, and smoking bubbles. Sometimes boiling water erupts from pots, and many pots crack or shatter due to the thermal shock.
pot goes into water
smoking pots

 
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Raku pottery