Definition of raku
1 : Japanese hand-modeled pottery that is fired at a low temperature and rapidly cooled
2 : a process by which pottery is fired at a relatively low temperature and then moved while hot to a closed container with combustible materials (such as paper or sawdust) that ignite and cause a reaction creating colors and patterns in the pottery's surface; also : pottery produced using this process
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Recent Examples of raku from the Web
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The D.C. sculptor displays her work made with raku clay, wood, stone and metal.
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Lori Ulmer-Hanson The D.C. sculptor displays her work made with raku clay, wood, stone and metal.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'raku.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of raku
Japanese, literally, pleasure; from the use of the character for this word on a seal given to the family of the potter who introduced the style
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