All the ceramics on view were created using the raku firing process, a technique that originated in 16th-century Japan and has since evolved around the world. Known for its dramatic results, raku involves removing ceramics from the kiln at peak temperature and placing them into containers filled with combustible materials—such as straw, newspaper, or sawdust. The intense heat ignites the materials instantly, and the container is sealed, creating a reduction environment that smokes the clay and activates the glazes. This fast and volatile process produces striking surface effects—iridescent glazes, metallic lusters, and intricate crazing patterns—each firing yields unique, often unpredictable effects, making every piece a record of its own atmospheric conditions.