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West Imitates East |
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Bernard Leach's son, David, recalls hearing about his father's first experience at a raku party, "I don't think for a moment that the bowls were highly prized and a bit special, the raku episode was just a recreational aspect of the afternoon." The recreational activity, according to David Leach, is something his father capitalized on in 1920 when setting up his pottery in St. Ives. He saw the summer tourists as potential customers and opened the pottery one afternoon a week for a raku event. Advertisements were sent to hotels and a town crier passed out leaflets,"Oyez! Oyez! Leach Pottery demonstration this afternoon at two o'clock. All visitors invited. Paint your own pots. Take them away at the end of the day. Teas a shilling." This raku demonstration stimulated some people to return the following week, bringing their own designs to try out on pots as well as bringing friends to enjoy the event. Usually twenty or so people participated, generating twenty to thirty pounds in revenue (qtd. in Andrews 12-13). Thus was born the Western version of the raku magic show, which would eventually be adopted and adapted by American potters. |