What makes the raku pottery process different from others such as stoneware? Both the clay used and the glazes as well as the firing process itself.
Technically speaking, any type of clay – referred to as ‘clay body’ by those who work with clay – can be used in the raku firing process (though not all can be used successfully). The clay itself generally matures at a higher temperature than that of the raku firing. Raku pieces are pulled from the firing (red hot) when the glazes appear to have matured, which is before the clay matures.