The Complete Potter: Raku

"The Complete Potter" is an established series examining the fundamentals of a specific pottery skill, with reference to a basic technique, equipment and materials. This volume addresses raku, a fast method of sawdust firing that produces pots with brightly-coloured glazes.

The raku process of firing clay has actively engaged U.S. potters since the 1960s. In this volume of the Complete Potter series, Byers traces raku's Japanese origins and explores some of its philosophical sources rooted in Eastern thought. Byers goes on to review the history and evolution of this technique, focusing on the work of contemporary ceramic artists closely associated with raku-fired ware. Technical information extends to formulas for clay bodies, glazes, and decorative slips. Line drawings illustrate kilns and burners designed for this firing method. A final portfolio features an international group of ceramists, their personal statements, and brief descriptions of the aesthetic issues each brings to his or her work. Alice Joyce