Raku Day at NIC

Yesterday we did a raku firing at North Idaho Colllege. Raku is a low fire ceramic technique from Japan.The kiln is portable. The top is pulled up, and when the pots are red hot, they are carefully taken out and placed in a trash can with straw. This treatment gives the bare places a black color and the accent-glazed places, hopefully, an oil-slick irridescent quality.

It's a social event. Everyone needs to cooperate and there is time to wait for things to happen. We all brought food, talked, ate, and admired each others work. With raku pieces, it's not a good idea to become too attached to a particular outcome. Lots of things can go wrong. It was fun watching the very young college coed trying a lift a heavier pot of mine with the tongs and failing three times. I was certain she'd drop it but she finally managed.












 
Black cracks in the white glaze are desirable.



Concerned NIC students shielding the pots on the top of the kiln from rain while they warm.

The kanji character for the term "raku" means enjoyment.