Bibliography

Suggested reading and reference on ceramics, raku and the tea ceremony
 

Hands in Clay, An Introduction to Ceramics, Charlotte F. Speight and John Toki, Mayfield Publishing Co., California
A good overall view of ceramic history and techniques. Heavily illustrated with examples of the amazing diversity of ceramic artists creations. Good reference for ceramics students.

Tea Ceremony Utensils (Arts of Japan 3). Fujioka, Ryoichi. New York: John Weatherhill Inc., 1973
Out of print. If you know of a copy for sale, please e-mail me I would like a copy for my reference library.

Raku Pottery. Piepenburg, Robert. Farmington Hills, Michigan: Pebble Press, 1994.
Very good, practical information. Good chapter on kiln and burner design. Some history, discussion of wabi Illustrations of tea bowls through modern American raku ceramics. I strongly recommend this book for your reference library.

Raku, Art & Technique. Riegger, Hal. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1970.

Art of China, Korea, and Japan. Swann, Peter. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, Inc., 1967

Seto and Mino Ceramics, Japanese Collections in the Freer Gallery of Art, Cort, Louise Allison, Smithsonian Institution, 1992
Great catalog of illustrations with descriptions and history. I often use for inspiration in my design and glazes. Strongly recommended as reference in your collection.

Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers, Koren, Leonard, Stone Bridge Press, 1994
Although I disagree with parts of this book, I recommend a one time reading. I would recommend getting it from a library.

Book of Tea, The. Okakura, Kakuzo, Dover Publications, 1964
A must read for anyone interested in a Japanese aesthetic.

Tea in Japan, Essays on the History of Chanoyu. Varley, paul and Isao, Kumakura; eds. U. of Hawaii Press, 1994
A very good history of the tea ceremony and its aesthetic. Good illustrations of tea ulensils and tea houses.

The Art of Ogata Kenzan, Persona and Production in Japanese Ceramics. Wilson, Richard L., Weatherhill, 1991
Abook on one of the greatest masters of hand decorated tea ceremony utensils.

Raku, A practical approach. Branfman, Steve, Chilton Book Co., 1991
A good book for anyone considering or doing raku firing. It has a good chapter on kiln design. Numerous illustrations of modern American and historical raku ceramics.

Clay and Glazes for the Potter. Rhodes, Daniel, Chilton Book Co., 1957 (first printing)
A ceramicists reference of ceramic materials and their use in pottery. A "must have" book for anyone who wants to create their own glazes or modify an existing one.

Inside Japanese Ceramics, A Primer of Materials, Techniques, and Traditions. Wilson, Richard L., Weatherhill, 1995
A good book on the complete Japanese process of creating ceramics including a discussion of clay, its mixing and Kneading, the forming of vessels by various methods, glazes and their application teckniques, and kiln design and firing techniques. Well illustrated with wares and step by step procedures.