How did wood ash accidentally contribute to the first smear glazes on Sueki ware?

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Japanese pottery Haniwa Garden of Heiwadai Park, Miyazaki, Japan.

In the context of Sueki ware, which was produced during the Asuka period (552–710 ce), the first smear glazes were created unintentionally. During the firing process in rudimentary kilns, wood ashes from the fuel would come into contact with the surface of the pottery, resulting in an accidental glaze effect.1