View source for Raku ware

==Design considerations==
Raku is a unique form of pottery making; what makes it unique is the range of designs that can be created by simply altering certain variables. These variables—which include wax resist, glazes, slips, temperature, and timing<ref name="ReferenceA">Branfman</ref>—ultimately determine the outcome when firing a piece of clay.

'''Wax resist,''' which is painted over the bare clay, is a suspension of wax in water;<ref name="Herb">Herb</ref> the glaze does not cover the area where the wax resist was applied, thus creating a design. When in the kiln, the wax melts off and the carbon that results from oxygen reduction replaces it.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> Raku glazes contain alumina, which has a very high melting point, so that they remain in place and are not replaced by carbon as the wax is. Any unglazed areas turn black due to the carbon given off from the reduction of oxygen. Next, the clay is moved from the kiln to a container, typically a trashcan, which contains combustible organic materials such as leaves, sawdust, or paper.
[[File:Raku Obvara fired Tsuri vases from RAAQUU Malaysia.jpg|alt=3 Obvara vases made by Adil Ghani from RAAQUU, Malaysia.|thumb|3 Obvara vases made by Adil Ghani from RAAQUU, Malaysia]]
'''Obvara''' is a raku form that uses a yeast solution that creates an earthy tone on secondary firing. The obvara mixture, made from yeast, flour, sugar, and water, is usually opaque cream in color.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-31 |title=Obvara Raku Pottery: Unveiling the Ancient Alchemy of Creativity |url=https://www.raaquu.com/blogs/articles-and-announcements/obvara-raku-pottery-unveiling-the-ancient-alchemy-of-creativity |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=RAAQUU |language=en}}</ref>  The temperature at which the pottery piece is lowered into the obvara solution is usually 800 degrees Celsius. After dipping the piece into the obvara solution, it is removed and dipped into water to "seal" the design via rapid cooling. 

'''Crackle glazes''' contain metallic compounds including metals such as copper, iron, and cobalt. After the glaze has reached a certain temperature, the metal in the glaze reacts taking on a specific color.<ref name="Herb" /> For example, cobalt produces dark blue, and copper usually produces green, but can also produce a red when the oxygen in the glaze is completely gone.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> The change in temperature and in the reduction oxidation (redox) process<ref name="Herb" /> sometimes cause cracking or crazing. Crazing is a pattern of surface cracking in the glaze of a piece. The timing of removal and placement in water directly affects the shades of each color.<ref name="ReferenceA" />
[[File:Raku fired oval vase made by Adil Ghani from RAAQUU(Malaysia)-2021.jpg|alt=Copper Matte Raku fired oval made by Adil Ghani from RAAQUU, Malaysia|thumb|A copper matte raku fired oval vase made by Adil Ghani from RAAQUU, Malaysia]]
'''Copper glazes''' are unlike crackle glazes. While the latter are deliberately subjected to cooling and the oxidation process between the kiln and the reduction chamber so the glaze will crackle, the copper glazed pieces are transferred from the kiln to the reduction chamber as quickly as possible. This causes the glaze to have as much reduction as possible and can pull out vibrant flashes of color from the glaze and end with either a matte or glossy finish depending on the type of glaze used.

'''Naked Raku''' is done by coating a section of the exterior of the piece with slip, taping off portions of the piece to leave parts of the body exposed to the firing; these areas will turn black after reduction. The piece is then fired in the kiln at lower temperatures until the slip has dried, and then further fired to {{convert|1400|°F|°C}}. At this point, the piece is removed from the kiln and placed into the reduction chamber. In reduction the carbon will soak into the clay where the slip has cracked and turn black, but where the slip is stuck on the clay will keep its natural color. The slip can be easily removed by hand from the cooled piece to reveal the design.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lessparks.net/Pottery_files/riggs.pdf|title=charlie riggs pop off slip|last=Riggs|first=Charlie|website=Lessparks}}</ref>

'''Horse hair:''' Horse hair decoration is a process where the piece remains unglazed; when it reaches temperature in the kiln it is placed in the open air rather than the reduction chamber, and horse hair is strategically arranged on the piece. The horse hair immediately burns and leaves thin linear markings on the pottery.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="180px">
File:Tea bowl with designs of pine boughs and interlocking circles, unknown Raku ware workshop, Kyoto, 18th-19th Cent, Freer Gallery of Art.jpg|[[Chawan|Tea bowl]] with designs of pine boughs and interlocking circles, unknown raku ware workshop, Kyoto, Edo period, 18th–19th century
File:Raku bottles.jpg|Raku work with crackle glazes (left), copper glazes (right), and pop-off slip (center)
</gallery>