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Mastering Raku: Making Ware * Glazes * Building Kilns * Firing
From firing to finishing, this is the definitive reference on raku. Ceramists will be informed and inspired by this newly updated, technique-based book with how-to photos and text. It covers such topics as types of clay, forming techniques, firing, glazes, decoration, and kilns and kiln construction. Mastering Raku also includes a gallery of works from around the world along with updated clay and glaze recipes.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 2, 2017
An excellent book. It is informative, and full of tips and ideas and inspiration. I will buy this one and put it in my library.
July 13, 2018
This book is very helpful for understanding both technical issues and artistic styles.
November 30, 2019
An inspiring book for Raku newbies. It has dozens of recipes too but sadly no pictures of the recipes so you have no idea of the results unless you try them out.
November 16, 2024
Steven Branfman’s Mastering Raku is an indispensable treatise on one of the most expressive and dynamic ceramic techniques: raku. As both a technical manual and a philosophical exploration, this book offers a wealth of insights for ceramists, artists, and scholars intrigued by the intersection of fire, earth, and artistry.
Bridging History and Practice
Branfman masterfully situates raku in its historical and cultural context, tracing its origins in Japanese tea ceremony traditions to its evolution as a medium for experimentation in Western studio pottery. This cultural juxtaposition enriches the reader’s understanding of raku as not merely a technique but as an aesthetic philosophy. Branfman’s writing underscores the unpredictability inherent in raku firing—an unpredictability that transforms it into a meditative dance between control and chaos.
Technical Mastery
The heart of Mastering Raku lies in its detailed, clear, and methodical approach to technique. Branfman covers the entire process with an authoritative yet accessible voice, from constructing vessels to developing glazes, building kilns, and firing ware. His step-by-step guidance on kiln construction is particularly valuable, offering pragmatic solutions for both novice and seasoned ceramists seeking to create or refine their setup.
The section on glaze recipes and their chemical interplay is a standout feature. Branfman elucidates the alchemy of materials with precision, encouraging readers to experiment while respecting the scientific underpinnings of the craft. His emphasis on the transformative power of post-firing reduction is both practical and poetic, offering readers the tools to create pieces that bear the indelible mark of fire’s spontaneity.
A Philosophy of Imperfection
Branfman’s work is deeply imbued with a wabi-sabi ethos, celebrating imperfection, transience, and the raw beauty of the natural world. He challenges ceramists to embrace the serendipity and imperfections that define raku. The philosophical asides throughout the book elevate it from a technical guide to an artistic manifesto, urging readers to reflect on the interplay of intention and chance in their practice.
For the Scholar and Practitioner
While Mastering Raku is an invaluable resource for ceramists, it also holds appeal for scholars of art history, philosophy, and cultural studies. Branfman’s nuanced exploration of raku as an art form bridges the gap between practical craft and theoretical discourse. The book serves as a testament to raku’s enduring relevance in contemporary ceramics, a medium where tradition and innovation converge.
Conclusion
Steven Branfman’s Mastering Raku is an exemplary work that stands as both a technical compendium and a philosophical inquiry into the essence of creation. Its meticulous attention to detail and reverence for the unpredictability of the process make it a seminal text for anyone seeking to understand, practice, or simply appreciate raku. For ceramists, it is a guide; for scholars, it is a lens into the transformative power of clay, fire, and spirit.
Highly recommended.
Bridging History and Practice
Branfman masterfully situates raku in its historical and cultural context, tracing its origins in Japanese tea ceremony traditions to its evolution as a medium for experimentation in Western studio pottery. This cultural juxtaposition enriches the reader’s understanding of raku as not merely a technique but as an aesthetic philosophy. Branfman’s writing underscores the unpredictability inherent in raku firing—an unpredictability that transforms it into a meditative dance between control and chaos.
Technical Mastery
The heart of Mastering Raku lies in its detailed, clear, and methodical approach to technique. Branfman covers the entire process with an authoritative yet accessible voice, from constructing vessels to developing glazes, building kilns, and firing ware. His step-by-step guidance on kiln construction is particularly valuable, offering pragmatic solutions for both novice and seasoned ceramists seeking to create or refine their setup.
The section on glaze recipes and their chemical interplay is a standout feature. Branfman elucidates the alchemy of materials with precision, encouraging readers to experiment while respecting the scientific underpinnings of the craft. His emphasis on the transformative power of post-firing reduction is both practical and poetic, offering readers the tools to create pieces that bear the indelible mark of fire’s spontaneity.
A Philosophy of Imperfection
Branfman’s work is deeply imbued with a wabi-sabi ethos, celebrating imperfection, transience, and the raw beauty of the natural world. He challenges ceramists to embrace the serendipity and imperfections that define raku. The philosophical asides throughout the book elevate it from a technical guide to an artistic manifesto, urging readers to reflect on the interplay of intention and chance in their practice.
For the Scholar and Practitioner
While Mastering Raku is an invaluable resource for ceramists, it also holds appeal for scholars of art history, philosophy, and cultural studies. Branfman’s nuanced exploration of raku as an art form bridges the gap between practical craft and theoretical discourse. The book serves as a testament to raku’s enduring relevance in contemporary ceramics, a medium where tradition and innovation converge.
Conclusion
Steven Branfman’s Mastering Raku is an exemplary work that stands as both a technical compendium and a philosophical inquiry into the essence of creation. Its meticulous attention to detail and reverence for the unpredictability of the process make it a seminal text for anyone seeking to understand, practice, or simply appreciate raku. For ceramists, it is a guide; for scholars, it is a lens into the transformative power of clay, fire, and spirit.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews