Pamela Watkins on wed 24 dec 03
Regarding the origins of Raku, my research into the process which was found on a web search a couple years prior- brought me to, I believe the Raku family of Japan web site. The technique was facinatingly described as a happy accident that came about the centuries past while firing, of all things....tile to be used for roofing of the pagodas and structures or such- a builder's fire. From my recollection of the history provided by the Raku family (the century mentioned fits) the workers were in haste to complete the tiles and as any who has fired Raku, can fill in the blanks on how this method of expedience has evloved. Upon sharing of the success of expedience, word then travelled to the tea bowl masters and thus a development of the unique glazes, etc. And now we should justly identify the differences between Raku- and Americanized Raku, which I explain to any patron I've sold a piece to.
Most all of my work could be considered non-functional, not all is Raku. As my artist statement says that the function to be interpretated is primarily the glorification of Mother Earth and her gifts to us. The new year is promising a web site.
Peace,
Pamela
~jaq
Lee Love wrote:
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kim Peterson"
> The fastest way I know to make a beautiful piece of work non functioonal,
is
> to raku it. The process makes it too porous and the the heavier metal
might
> cause problems with food. BUT saying that. The results are unpredictable
and
> beautiful!!
People here in Japan would probably say that what you are talking
about is not raku. In Japan, raku has always been functional. The origin
was in the making of tea ceremony bowls. My favorite bowls in my kitchen
in St. Paul are some white latte bowls that are decorated with a splash of
copper on the outside. The crazing is highlighted with black from the
post-firing reduction. They held liquids just fine. They are in
storage in St. Paul & I miss them. When I get my hands on some 3134 frit,
I make some more here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The History Of Raku.
The making of Raku ware was initiated by Chojiro, the first generation of
the Raku family, during the Momoyama period (1573-1615). At this time
three-coloured glazed pottery (san cai) based on technology from the Fujian
region of China was produced in and around Kyoto. Chojiro is thought to have
been familiar with such techniques. A written record confirms that Ameya,
Chojiro's father, originally from China, is thought to have been the person
who introduced the techniques of three-coloured glazed pottery from China,
although none of his works has survived to prove this. These Japanese san
cai wares were not, however, called Raku ware and it was only after Chojiro
had become acquainted with the teamaster Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591) and had
started making tea bowls for the tea ceremony (chanoyu) that Raku ware came
into being. It could be said that the origin of Raku ware lay in the making
of a single tea bowl for the tea ceremony.
http://www.raku-yaki.or.jp/index-e.html
--
Lee In Mashiko, Japan
http://Mashiko.org
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Tony Ferguson on thu 25 dec 03
Lee and others,
Actually, tea ceremony, was developed in Japan (not to say they weren't
drinking tea in China, because they were--its influence came from the
southern Zen buddists of China, who, one night, arrived at the idea of
drinking together from a single bowl of tea (not much more I can find on
this)--I'm guessing the notion of humililty and spirtual
bonding/metaphorical reference to the spirit and nature (sharing the elixir
of the soul which served to replenish the soul) played into this group tea
drinking which spawned what we know as the tea ceremony. The Japanese court,
at the time, was fascinated with tea and so supported its development in a
variety of ways. The tea ceremony as we know it, was really developed in
Japan and made into an art form there. China, of course, has their own
variations.
The records are vague...seeds were obtained, tea trees were planted, people
liked the tea because it was good and because they were obsessed with what
was going on in China. The Japanese, as they are so skilled at, took
something, saw the inherent beauty and connections, and developed it into
their own creative expression. In an nutshell.
Thank you.
Tony Ferguson
On Lake Superior, where the sky meets the Lake
Custom & Manufactured Kiln Design
Stoneware, Porcelain, Raku and more
by Coleman, Ferguson, Winchester...
http://www.aquariusartgallery.com
218-727-6339
315 N. Lake Ave
Apt 312
Duluth, MN 55806
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Love"
To:
Sent: Thursday, December 25, 2003 9:58 AM
Subject: Re: Was:non functional? Now: Origins of Raku - Lee?
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Pamela Watkins"
>
>
> >for roofing of the pagodas and structures or such- a builder's fire.
From
> my recollection of the
> >history provided by the Raku family (the century mentioned fits) the
> workers were in haste to
> >complete the tiles and as any who has fired Raku, can fill in the blanks
on
> how this method of
> >expedience has evloved.
>
> I thought it developed in China? With the highfire black Seto
> bowls, it is thought that they were originally pulled simply as glaze
tests.
> Some tea master probably came by and saw one on the shard pile and said,
> "Hey, this is pretty good! Can you make me chawan like this?"
>
> > Most all of my work could be considered non-functional, not all is Raku.
> As my artist statement
> >says that the function to be interpretated is primarily the glorification
> of Mother Earth and her
> > gifts to us. The new year is promising a web site.
>
> As good a function as any!
>
> --
> Lee In Mashiko, Japan
> http://Mashiko.org
> Web Log (click on recent date):
> http://www.livejournal.com/users/togeika/calendar
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Lee Love on fri 26 dec 03
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Ferguson"
> Actually, tea ceremony, was developed in Japan (not to say they weren't
> drinking tea in China, because they were--its influence came from the
> southern Zen buddists of China,
Just a short note, gotta do some stuff in the studio. Just back from
walking Taiko between the rice fields.
While it might have been less formal in China, tea and its use came
to Japan from Sung China. Tea and Zen both came to Japan at the same time
(13th century), as well as the first temmoku tea bowl (brought by Dogen
zenji) an the first noborigama kiln technology. A monk that traveled to
China with Dogen brought back the climbing kiln and established their first
use in the Seto region.
More soon!
Lee In Mashiko
Lee Love on fri 26 dec 03
----- Original Message -----
From: "Pamela Watkins"
>for roofing of the pagodas and structures or such- a builder's fire. From
my recollection of the
>history provided by the Raku family (the century mentioned fits) the
workers were in haste to
>complete the tiles and as any who has fired Raku, can fill in the blanks on
how this method of
>expedience has evloved.
I thought it developed in China? With the highfire black Seto
bowls, it is thought that they were originally pulled simply as glaze tests.
Some tea master probably came by and saw one on the shard pile and said,
"Hey, this is pretty good! Can you make me chawan like this?"
> Most all of my work could be considered non-functional, not all is Raku.
As my artist statement
>says that the function to be interpretated is primarily the glorification
of Mother Earth and her
> gifts to us. The new year is promising a web site.
As good a function as any!
--
Lee In Mashiko, Japan
http://Mashiko.org
Web Log (click on recent date):
http://www.livejournal.com/users/togeika/calendar
Lee Love on sat 27 dec 03
I just wanted to share a correction with folks about the noborigama
technology. Hank pointed out to me in private email that the noborigama
technology came to Japan in the 17th century.
The monk that traveled to China with Dogen brought back the first glaze
technologies from Sung China, but not the noborigama:
The legendary Toshiro, also known as Kato Shirozaemon Kagemasa (1169 -
1249), went to China with the Zen monk Dogen around 1223. Upon his return
in 1228, he established the first Seto kiln and began to make glazed wares
in a Chinese style, imitating Chinese celadon.
--
Lee In Mashiko, Japan
http://Mashiko.org
Web Log (click on recent date):
http://www.livejournal.com/users/togeika/calendar
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