What Is A Raku Garden Fountain?

 

As you can see from the photographs on this page a Raku garden fountain is more of a work of art than an ordinary garden fountain. The fountain usually consists of a really heavy pottery container which is "Raku fired" creating a strikingly beautiful vase. Rather than featuring a large and flamboyant water spout the fountain is actually rather sedate and tiny in comparison to the size of the Raku vase. However the water adds vital movement and the gentle sounds create a most wonderful atmosphere.

A true Raku garden fountain can be rather expensive when compared to other garden fountains but it is possible to find cheaper alternatives which, rather than being pottery, are made from resin and fiberglass. In truth these cheap Raku garden fountains are exactly that, cheap copies, as their really is little that can compare in terms of quality, they look the part but are extremely light (or is that an advantage?).

The Origins Of Raku

The style of firing pottery known as Raku, Raku ware, or more correctly Rakuyaki , was developed in 16th century Japan. The technique involved the utilization of low firing temperatures and the use of lead glazes. Closely associated with the Japanese tea ceremony, Raku was actually a reference to the potters who used the process rather than the process itself (raku comes from the name of the place where the clay was extracted for use in the pots). However, in the west, Raku has become a term used for the method of firing.

In Japan each Raku tea bowl was created by hand and was, therefore, unique. When, in the 1960's, the process was adopted and adapted by Western potters stoneware was used in preference to the Japanese earthenware and lead glazes were avoided though the subtle interactions of these glazes is maintained to create the unique coloring. Various techniques are used to recreate the crackled glazing and other features of the Japanese Raku. To increase the pots ability to withstand thermal shock various substances are added to the clay.

Raku ware is incredibly tough and always distinctive and there are rather a few differences (outlined above) between the Japanese and Western methods and there have been disagreements between the two as to the rights of Western potters to use the term Raku. However it has now become a means of reference to a particular style of pottery and there can be little other way to describe the Raku garden fountain other than using the word Raku.

 

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