Lifting a large vase out of the raku kiln at about 1800 degrees f.

Approaching the anagama kiln just north of Madrid, NM

RAKU

Raku Pottery was developed in Japan over 400 years ago as the Ceremonial Tea Ware of the Zen Buddhist Masters. It was preferred by the Masters because of its humility, its tasteful unpretentiousness, and its simple naturalness. Seldom watertight, Raku is actually not a good choice for a casserole or a flower vase; it is pottery apart from utility or function. Traditionally, Raku is valued because it is believed that the Spirit of the Maker is embodied in the form and revealed at the foot, which is left naked (unglazed). It is believed that if we are alert to ourselves, in contemplating the Raku form, we will recognize in it our own Spirit and Meaning.

Each of my raku vessels is wheel thrown, painted with underglaze, then fired once (bisque) to cone 06. Next, a clear crackle glaze is applied to the bisqued piece; it is now ready for the second firing. I fire only 3 small pieces, or one large piece, at a time. It takes about 45 minutes for the kiln to reach a temperature of approximately 1835 degrees, at which time the glaze is “mature”. At this point, the kiln is turned off and tongs are used to remove each of the glowing vessels from the kiln. As the glowing vessel is exposed to the cool air outside the kiln, the severe temperature change and incongruent rates of cooling between the piece and the glaze produces the cracks in the glaze. These cracks are highly prized as characteristic of traditional Raku Pottery: they are the "proof-marks" of the stoneware's having survived this dramatic trial by fire.

Upon leaving the kiln, the glowing pot is placed directly into an airtight container (reduction chamber) containing sawdust. The smoke/carbon produced by burning sawdust stains the naked clay, as well as the valueable cracks, black.

Raku is a unique, immediate and daring process, and a great many pots do crack during some phase of the firing. A 70% success rate is typical.

WOOD FIRE

The Anagama kiln, or 30-ft “climbing kiln” is built into the side of a hill just outside of Madrid, NM. The design originated in Asia around 1600 BCE. The Madrid Anagama holds 600+ pieces and fires to over 2400 degrees f. A typical firing lasts 4 consecutive days before cooling for another 6 days when it is then ready to be opened. Lumber yard scraps fuel the constant fire and create a unique ash glaze on the wares inside. The group of artists participating in each firing dedicate 4 weekends of work to the process: the cutting, sorting and stacking of wood; glazing wares and loading the kiln; firing; and unloading/clean-up. Firings occur approximately every 6 weeks depending on weather conditions and participants.