Abstract
This study investigatesthe coloration mechanism by identifying the factor that affects thered coloration of copper red glazesin traditional Korean ceramics. The characteristics of the reduction-fired copper red glaze's sections are analyzed using an optical microscope, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The sections observed using an optical microscope are divided into domains of surface, red-bubble, and red band. According to the Raman micro spectroscopy analysis results, the major characteristic peak is identified as silicate in all three domains, and the intensity of $Cu_2O$ increases toward the red band. In addition, it is confirmed that the most abundant CuO exists in the glaze bubbles. Moreover, CuO and $Cu_2O$ exist as fine particles in a dispersed state in the surface domain. Thus, Cu combined with oxygen is distributed evenly throughout the copper red glaze, and $Cu_2O$ is more concentrated toward the interface between body and glaze. It is also confirmed that CuO is concentrated around the bubbles. Therefore, it is concluded that the red coloration of the copper red glaze is revealed not only through metallic Cu but also through $Cu_2O$ and CuO.