The RAKU method of firing pottery was developed in the Sixteenth Century in Japan. It is a low-fire form of pottery which has become quite popular in the past decade with western potters. Each piece has been "bisqued" and re fired with Raku glaze in an
Outdoor Raku Kiln. The pieces are removed from the kiln after reaching a temperature of approximate. 1,000 to 1,600 degrees F.

The fired pottery is then placed into sawdust, straw, leaves or paper -- sealed and left to smolder in the smoke that each of these mediums produce. This results in oxygen being drawn from the glaze which, thereby, produces a lustrous or metallic surface to the vessel. The flame pattern gives a unique colour to the surface resulting in a mystic effect. When each piece is extracted from the sawdust, stray, leaves or paper outdoor fire - it is unique from every other, and always a surprise. It is worth noting that Raku is for DECORATIVE USE ONLY and will not hold water. if you wish to put flowers into your raku vase, you must first insert a glass tubular vase which will hold the necessary water to keep your flowers alive.

The Raku pieces that Terwilliger's Gifts offers are made in British Columbia, Canada. We invite you to visit Terwilliger's Gifts 675 Main St., Penticton in order to fully appreciate the uniqueness of this form of pottery.