Shoji Hamada

Shoji Hamada was a Japanese potter.  He was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1894.  Hamada was a very important member of the Mingei folk art movement.  The Mingei folk art movement was developed in the late 1920s and 1930s, the founder was Yanagi Soetsu.  Hamada was one of the most influential potters during is time.  He had graduated from Tokyo Technical College and after graduating enrolled at Kyoto Ceramics Research.  During his years as a potter, he collaborated with Bernard Leach.  When working with Bernard Leach he built a kiln at St.Ives in England.  Hamada would travel with Leach in the United States to give different demonstrations and workshops on ceramics.  Hamada's work was largely influenced by English medieval potter, Okinawan stoneware, and Korean pottery.  Throughout his lifetime Hamada received

 the Tochigi Prefecture Culture Award and Minister of Education Award for Art and he was later designated a Living National Treasure in 1955.

I chose this piece because I really liked the shape of the bowl.  I like how it is smaller at the bottom and the started to get larger.  I also like the design and the colors that are used.