Raku vases with white crackle glaze Thrown on wheel (left) or handbuilt (right), then glazed and raku fired. Raku was originally a form of Japanese pottery which was low-fired, then removed from the kiln when still glowing red and placed directly into water or allowed to cool in the open air. Traditionally, tea ceremony bowls were made in this manner. The contemporary ‘American raku’ technique which I use involves placing the red-hot pot into a chamber with combustible material. The chamber is closed up and as the combustible material burns, it can create smoke, crackle or metallic colour effects depending on the specific glaze applied. | 
