“Naked Raku” means that there is no glaze on the finished piece: what you see is the “naked” clay with smoke markings. Personally, I find this the purest and most dramatic form of Raku.

In preparation for the firing, I apply to my polished pieces a layer of sacrificial slip and on top of it a layer of glaze. I then carve patterns into those layers, which along with the unglazed parts will turn out black after the smoking in a bin with combustibles, following the same firing method as with the “normal” Raku.

Once cool enough to handle, the pieces need to be thoroughly cleaned in order to reveal the markings, as well as to remove unwanted deposits of ash and remnants of the clay masking. Once dry, they are protected with a thin coat of wax and polished.

Naked Raku pottery stays porous and cannot hold liquids or be used as dinnerware, it is for decor and storage of dry goods only. These pieces should not be left for long periods outside, or inside a window facing the sun, as over time this could affect the smoke markings.