Most of the major historical glaze families are variations on two colourants: iron oxide (celadons through tenmokus) and copper oxide (oribe and copper reds). Behaviour depends on percentage and atmosphere.
Transparent green to blue-green glaze coloured by small amounts of iron oxide (typically 0.5–2%) fired in reduction.[Garland, Digitalfire] Traditionally fired around cone 10 (~1300°C); cone 6 versions exist but purists distinguish them. Originated in Chinese kilns from the Shang dynasty onwards; mastered at Longquan in the Northern Song.[Ippodo]
Iron-saturated glaze that fires glossy black to deep brown.[CMW] Subfamilies include hare's-fur (vertical iron streaks), oil-spot / yuteki (silver iridescent spots from iron crystals, often fired in oxidation), and yohen (iridescent multicolour from controlled crystal growth). Classic versions are cone 10 reduction.
Originally Japanese (Mino, late 16th c.). A high-feldspar glaze fired in reduction that traps carbon to produce orange-to-grey surfaces with characteristic crawl and pinhole texture.[Garland]
Copper-bearing glaze, vivid green in oxidation. Named after the Mino ware style popularised in 17th-century Gifu Prefecture.[Musubi Kiln]
The same copper colourant as Oribe, but fired in reduction — produces a deep red instead of green. Famously difficult to fire consistently. Reduction strips oxygen from copper, shifting it to the elemental form responsible for the red.[Digitalfire]
Wood-ash-based glaze, the historical root of East Asian glaze traditions. Either deposited naturally during wood firing or applied as a slip. Behaviour depends heavily on the species and combustion temperature of the source wood.
