Raku ware undergoes a very unique firing process. The making of Raku was first initiated by Chojiro, the first generation of the Raku family in Japan, during the Momoyama period. (1573 - 1615)

Tea bowls produced by Chojiro were originally called "ima-yaki" or now wares, literally meaning pottery that was produced in the present. (Referring to it's immediacy) Raku was introduced to Britain by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada.

Raku was initially prized for its' imperfections and subtlety, which suited the nature of the Tea Ceremony. Pots were removed red hot and allowed to cool in the open air on grass, or occasionally cooled and immersed in water. The palette was subtle too- with muted creams, iron reds and rich blacks.

Through Bernard Leach, Raku became popular in America. It was here that potters such as Paul Soldner and Peter Voulkos in the 50's and 60's pioneered "Western Raku". This technique evolved almost by chance- when pots were accidentally dropped or rolled in pine needles and leaves when being removed from the molten kiln!

The reduction technique (starving the atmosphere around the pot of oxygen) allowed potters to manipulate the glaze surface and experiment with a wider palette of metallic colours and textures. This is the main difference between contemporary "Western Raku" and the original pots created in Japan.