My first attempt at Raku glaze firing was very exciting. I experimented with two pieces glazed with crackle glaze and two with metallic glaze. The crackle glaze turned out to be more successful than the metallic one. I learned what not to do and can't wait to do more Raku firings in the future.

Raku generally refers to a type of low-firing process that was inspired by traditional Japanese raku firing. Western-style raku usually involves removing pottery from the kiln while at bright red heat and placing it into containers with combustible materials. Once the materials ignite, the containers are closed. This produces an intense reduction atmosphere which affects the colors in glazes and clay bodies. The drastic thermal shock also produces cracking—known as crackling since it is deliberate. The original Japanese style of raku pottery is an outgrowth from Buddhist influences in life, especially in the tea ceremony.