Raku is a japanese firing technique that origins in the 16th century. Traditionally it was used to fire bowls for japanese tea ceremonies.

The raku ceramics is fired at low temperatures (ca 800-1000 degrees celsius) and consequently very porous.

The pieces are extracted from the kiln while red hot and either allowed to cool in open air or put in vessels with saw dust or other combustable material.

The result is a sooted hue on none glazed clay and a cracked glaze usually in very vibrant colors.

It is also possible to get nice effects like copper tones on the pieces.