Preface
Raku is probably one of the most popular processes in ceramics due mainly to
its simple straightforward process from ball-of-clay to finished glazed ware.
And while raku is simple enough for potters of all skill levels to achieve some
degree of immediate success, it’s the technically skilled and creative artists
that have elevated this process to new heights. Raku to them is a vehicle that
allows the flexibility to explore and experiment, and in doing so, take the medium to an inspiring level.
This handbook was originally published in the Ceramics Monthly Handbook series in 2004 and soon went out of print. This new revised Ceramic Arts
Handbook edition contains more than thirty articles, many of which appeared
in the original handbook but with the addition of new materials published in
Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated.
From Hal Riegger, the father of modern day Western raku, to some of the
best known raku artists practicing today, you’ll find information on forming,
finishing, and firing techniques, as well as recipes and stories of the journeys
and personal experiences some of these artists have made. For the ceramic artist who has experienced the excitement and the immediacy of the raku process,
this book is sure to contain a wealth of information for further exploration and
possibilities.
Bill Jones