Shino Glazes

Shino is a glaze of Japanese origin with a lengthy and detailed history. People study for years to create certain Shino effects in their pottery. We can only achieve this type of glaze in an atmospheric firing, such as gas, diesel, or wood firing.

Shinos typically range in colour from bright white to pale pink or peachy hues, to an earthy terracotta-type orange/brown, and sometimes display grey or black flecks if the pot has managed to trap some carbon while firing. Occasionally, we get golden flecks and speckles.

It is classically a glaze that pulls away from the clay body, causing pinholes, bubbles, crackles, and crawling. In most glazes, this would be considered a badly fitting glaze, but with Shino, these are effects we enjoy.

Some specific Shinos aim to create a pale pink blush, while others crawl away from the clay, creating lumps and bumps on the surface.

Shinos are one of my favourite kinds of glaze. I use local clays when I make them and am always surprised and excited by the magical effects each different firing gives them.