Ru ware is the Chinese ceramic type famous for its smooth, pale blue-green Song-dynasty glaze.
Ru ware was produced for the Northern Song court at kilns in Ruzhou, in present-day Henan. Its restrained blue-green glaze, fine body, and subtle crackle became hallmarks of the style. Production was brief, generally associated with the period around 1086–1106, making surviving examples exceptionally rare.
Ru ware is traditionally counted among the five great wares of Song China. The others commonly named are Guan, Ge, Jun, and Ding, although classifications vary among historians and collectors.
The pieces are usually small and understated, including dishes, bowls, and washers. Their rarity and imperial association have made them among the most prized ceramics in Chinese art collections.