* Anagama: A "hole kiln" or ancient pottery kiln brought to Japan in the 5th century.

* Yakishime: Unglazed stoneware fired at high temperatures, relying on flame and ash for decoration.

* Natural Ash Glaze (Natural Yu): Glaze formed when wood ash melts onto the clay surface at high heat.

* Wabi-sabi: The Japanese aesthetic centered on the beauty of imperfection and transience.

* Kintsugi: The art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold or silver.

* Hadasuri: The tactile "feel" or skin texture of a finished ceramic piece.

* Sutego: "Waste" pieces placed near the firebox to protect more valuable pieces from direct flame.

* Keshiki: Literally "landscape"; the various patterns and colors on the surface of a pot.

* Bizen-yaki: One of the Six Ancient Kilns, famous for its iron-like hardness and lack of applied glaze.

* Shigaraki: Pottery characterized by small white feldspar granules in the clay.

* Hidasuki: "Fire-cord" markings created by wrapping straw around pots before firing.

* Sangiri: A color effect where a pot is buried in ash, resulting in a dark grey or blue-black finish.

* Yo-hen: "Changed by the fire"; unexpected color changes caused by the kiln atmosphere.

* Noborigama: A multi-chambered climbing kiln built on a slope.

* Redox (Reduction/Oxidation): Manipulating oxygen levels inside the kiln to change clay and ash colors.

* Kambutsu: The specific wood used for firing, usually resinous pine.

* Koge: "Scorched" or heavily ashed areas on a pot, usually dark or crusty.

* Botamochi: "Rice cake" markings created by placing a smaller piece on top of a larger one.

* Ishihaze: "Stone burst"; when small stones in the clay pop through the surface during firing.

* Tanpan: Green copper spots that occur naturally or are applied for color.

* Kuro-Bizen: Bizen pottery blackened through specific firing techniques.

* Hiiro: "Fire color"; the warm orange or red glow on unglazed clay.

* Tsuchi-aji: The "flavor" or character of the raw clay itself.

* Kezuri: The process of trimming or carving the pot's foot when it is leather-hard.

* Anagama-shiki: The traditional lifestyle of living by the rhythm of a long wood-firing.

Japanese Pottery Glossary