Raku is a truly fun and magical art of firing pottery with dramatic, unique and often surpising outcomes. The literal meaning of “happiness in the accident” refers to the wonderful accidental results but also to the high rate of breakage because of the various shocks to the clay.

The pieces are removed from a gas kiln in a red-hot state, and put in a container with combustible material such as paper, straw or sawdust that will ignite upon contact. Smoke from the extinguished flames enters glaze cracks and bare clay parts, staining them black. This process leaves behind unique colors and textures on the surface of the pottery. 

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 intensity of the black parts.