Ceramics

Raku means “enjoyment”, “comfort” or “ease.”  Raku is a type of Japanese pottery that is traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony, most often in the form of tea bowls.  It is characterized by being hand shaped rather than thrown; fairly porous vessels, which result from low firing temperatures; lead glazes; and the removal of pieces from the kiln while still glowing hot and is allowed to cool in the open air or in a container filled with combustible material.