Raku is a Japanese technique of firing which involves removing the glazed pots from the kiln when the glaze is molten (around 1000 degrees Celsius). The pots are then covered with sawdust and sealed in a container. It is the interaction of the glaze with the flames and smoke that produces the unique lustre and crackle glaze effects characteristic of Raku ware. The clay body starts off white but unglazed areas are turned black by the smoke, these black areas are designed to accentuate the form and contrast with the bright colours of the glaze