釉
glaze, enamel
Readings
On'yomi
- ユウ
Kun'yomi
- うわぐすり
Meaning
釉 centers on a smooth, glassy coating applied to ceramics: a glaze or enamel that fuses to the surface during firing.
Most common words using 釉
- 釉薬うわぐすり
glaze; enamel
- 施釉せゆう
glazing (ceramics)
- 灰釉はいぐすり
ash glaze (type of fundamental glaze used in ancient times made from the ashes of raw materials such as unhulled rice, straw, oak and pine)
- 無釉むゆう
unglazed (e.g. pottery)
- 鉄釉てつゆう
iron glaze (pottery)
- 鉛釉えんゆう
lead glaze (porcelain manuf.)
- 銅釉どうゆう
copper glaze (pottery)
Study
Etymology
釉 combines 采 (originally related to picking or coloring) with 由, which likely contributes the sound. The character refers to the glossy coating on pottery, but the exact historical development of the components is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 采 suggests picking or applying something, and the right side 由 looks like a container. Imagine dipping a pot into a container of glossy liquid to coat it with glaze.
Reading mnemonic
For ユウ, picture you applying glaze to a ceramic piece: you -> ユウ, and your careful work creates a shiny enamel finish.