wet fire raku, a technique to manipulate the clay surface
wet clay pottery pieces can be put into high heat (circa 1,700f and
higher), and fired in 10 minutes, with successful results
the shock changes the clay surface,
the clay piece after cooling, can then be glazed, or the piece can be
wet glazed and wet fired in one single process
my teacher hal rieger introduced wet pit fire to me 1969, and his idea
is published in his book "primitive pottery". also, in Conrad's book
"glaze formulas, the complete compendium, (1973) mentioned wet fire raku
on page 265
all clays, either commerical or non-commercial (locally dug) reacts
differently
i have done considerable research into this technique, in order to make
the piece more stronger. i add borax and spudomene to the clay body,
along with using engobes and microwave, in effect, its a mix of egyptian
paste and wet fire
the purpose of my using wet fire and microwave raku, is to facilitate a
spontaneous group pottery experience in the making of untensils for the
japanese tea ceremony and proceeding to the tea ceremony, depending upon
the time constraints of either an afternoon session, day session,
weekend session or week long, we use different techniques
keiko and i teach workshops at esalen institute, big sur, calif that
combines all aspects of the way of tea (sado) in one experience for all
to participate in. see, www.mapstead.com/noel
noel
Ken Kang wrote:
> Keiko,
>
> What is wet fire raku?
>
> Aloha, Ken
