Raku is an
ancient technique originating in Japan in the 16th Century along with the tea
ceremony and influenced
by Zen buddist philosophy.
The
tea ceremony was formulated during that time
by the great Tea Masters to
promote the contemplation
of the beauty of simplicity, "wabi".
"Wabi
is a beauty of things imperfect,
impermanent,and incomplete.
It is a
beauty of things modest and humble.
It is a beauty of things unconventional."
In
Raku the pieces are removed with long tongs
from a red hot kiln. The glowing
pot is then rolled in various materials (sawdust, leaves, paper), thus changing
the colour and the chemistry of the pot.
This
process requires total involvement and an intimate understanding of the materials,
transforming the pottery into sensual and dramatic forms of Art.