Raku Ho‘olaule‘a an annual community Raku ceramics workshop, firing and camp out in a beautiful beach side setting at Camp Mokule‘ia.
The Raku Tradition
The ideograph “raku” freely translated means enjoyment, contentment, pleasure and happiness. Originating in 16th century Japan, the first pieces of raku ware were tea bowls. Japanese raku potters worked exclusively to produce vessels for the tea ceremony, creating objects “according to the laws of nature,” hence raku evolved as it did because of the tea masters’ preferences for natural things.
The Tea Ceremony
Each year Raku Ho’olaule’a is inaugurated with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony presented by the Urasenke Foundation in the Tea House of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, East-West Center Garden. This demonstration is open to all and will take place on Saturday, March 28th 2015 from 10am to 12 noon.
With a linage going back 400 years, The Urasenke Foundation was founded in Kyoto, Japan in 1949. Presently it is a worldwide organization dedicated to “Chado, The Way of Tea” and the four Zen principles of Wa, Kei, Sei, and Jaku - Harmony, Respect, Purity and Tranquility. The foundation provides jurors and guidance in the selection of objects for exhibition in the traditional category, as well as participatory tea ceremony demonstrations at our Workshop and exhibition openings, and we are grateful for their continuing participation.
The Tea Bowl Workshop
Following the tea ceremony, Master potter Ed Higa leads a free, hands-on workshop where participants shape and carve their own tea bowls. The workshop starts with an introduction to tea ceremony implements and forms intended to explain work that will be eligible for the Traditional category in the exhibition. Saturday, March 28th, from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Art Department Ceramics Lab. Please RSVP 429-7152 (Ed Higa).
The Guest Artists
Hawai‘i Craftsmen has invited Charlie and Linda Riggs, to serve as our guest artist/contemporary juror. In addition to jurying artwork submitted for exhibition in the Contemporary Raku and Keiki categories, Charlie and Linda Riggs will be sharing their construction and firing techniques describing their career in raku and saggar firing ceramic artwork in a Wet Clay Demonstration at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Art Department Ceramics Lab Monday May 18, 5:30 to 9:30. There will also be a Slide Lecture on May 19th 5:30PM reception, 6:15PM Lecture at the Arts at Marks Garage.
The Main Event
Raku Ho‘olaule‘a is focused around three days of communing, glazing and firing artwork by the beach at Camp Mokulē‘ia, from noon on Friday May 22, to noon on Monday, May 25. The public is invited to visit and watch the firings all weekend, and with free admittance from Hawaii craftsmen may participate in the Community Kiln on Sunday. Jurying of artwork for the annual exhibition takes place at the beach on Monday morning prior to striking camp.
The Community Kiln
The public gets to have a turn… Visitors are invited to come out to Mokulē’ia and participate with the artists! Individuals may purchase and glaze a member-created and donated tea bowl, then watch while Hawai‘i Craftsmen members fire it right on the spot! Pre-fired bowls will also be available for purchase this year both at camp and at the exhibition. The Community Kiln will be held on Sunday, May 24 at noon - 4pm.
The Exhibition
Selected work from the campout will be on display at The Arts at Marks, June 2 to 28. The Raku Exhibit opening reception and award ceremony will be held June 4, 5:30 to 9pm. Included in this opening event will be a potluck dinner and Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstrations by the Urasenki Foundation. A Silent Auction runs the duration of the exhibition; Tea Bowls and Sake Cups will also be available for purchase.