The piezoelectric element 83 is made of a dielectric material such as barium titanate or PZT. [0078] The recording head with the above construction is operated in such a manner that pulsed voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 83 to generate a stress to cause strain, the vibration plate 82 bonded to the piezoelectric element 83 is deformed by the energy of the stress, and the ink in the