Question:
What is Raku?
Terra-Sigillata: Description
Terra-Sigillata is a slip, made of clays whose particles are extremely fine. Like slip or en-globe - which it basically is - Terra-Sigillata appeals to those who wish to develop an intimate relationship between the surface of their work and its form, and who respond to the way in which the Terra-Sigillata becomes an integral part of the clay body rather than coating the surface like a glaze. After the final firing the forms are hand-polished with Tung Oil to achieve a more durable surface. Terra-Sigillata means "sealed earth". It was used by the Greeks and Romans before the invention of glaze.
Raku Body
When making pieces for raku firing, consider the stress the process puts on the work. The thermal shock will crack large pieces made from most fine textured clays, so it's best to use a body containing sand or grog. Long Beach is good for medium sized pieces, and B-mix with sand will work if you need a white clay to use with crackle. Large pieces should be made of a coarse raku or sculpture body. Any piece that's at risk of cracking or exploding in a stoneware firing is doubly at risk when raku fired, so be sure to construct raku pieces well. While the clay is still in the bag, consider how to design the piece so it can be sensibly removed from the kiln with tongs. Avoid extremely fragile pieces or very heavy thrown pieces.
Modern raku
Modern raku is a method of firing pottery loosely based on a sixteenth century Japanese technique. The Japanese would fire tea bowls in a small wood-fired kiln and then remove the bowls from the kiln with tongs while still hot and rapidly cool them. The thermal shock would crackle the low temperature lead glaze. Raku ware was preferred for the tea ceremony because of its soft feel and unassuming, quiet aesthetic.
accent the cracks in crackle glazes.
Black paste shoe polish or ink can be used to accent the cracks in crackle glazes.
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| Jolyn Wells-Moran |
