The Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) flourished in politics, economics, and culture, making it one of the golden ages in the development of Chinese culture. Significant achievements were made in literature, poetry, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and other art forms during this period.

Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji, 1082–1135) is widely known for his profound cultural refinement and love of the arts. He made distinctive contributions to aesthetics and had a far-reaching influence, particularly on painting, poetry, and ceramic art. Emperor Huizong valued elegant and refined artistic styles, championed “Slender Gold” calligraphy and paintings of auspicious creatures, and showed deep appreciation and admiration for refined ceramics such as Ru ware.

Ru ware celadon emerged against this historical backdrop and became one of the Five Great Song Kilns. The surviving pieces are extremely rare, with reportedly fewer than a hundred in the entire world. Although the kiln sites remained undiscovered for a long time, written records have endured. In his Notes from the Laoxue Studio, the Song dynasty writer Lu You recorded: “In the former capital, Ding ware was not admitted into the palace; only Ru ware was used.” Ye Zhi of the Song dynasty also wrote in his Tan Zhai Bi Heng: “The Dingzhou porcelain of our dynasty had sharp edges and was difficult to use, so celadon ware was fired in Ruzhou. The kilns of Tang, Deng, and Yaozhou in Hebei also followed the example of Ru ware, which thus became the foremost.”

The Ru ware pieces seen today mainly include plates, bowls, cosmetic boxes, bottles, washers, and cup stands.

Ru ware celadon is renowned for its distinctive glaze and refined craftsmanship. Its history can be traced back to the Tang dynasty, but it truly flourished during the Song dynasty. The Ru kiln was located near present-day Ruzhou in Henan Province, hence the name “Ru kiln.” The Song dynasty marked the height of Ru celadon production, when its techniques and kiln management reached their peak.

With its unique aesthetic value and profound historical significance, Ru ware has long been coveted by collectors and art lovers. Today, it is highly esteemed not only in China but also internationally, and its collectible value and market prices are relatively high.

In summary, Ru ware, with its exquisite craftsmanship, distinctive glaze, and rich cultural heritage, is one of the treasures of ancient Chinese ceramic art and has had a profound influence on later generations.