Shoji Hamada

Shoji Hamada was a Japanese potter born on December 9, 1894. He has been a great influence and inspiration in studio pottery during the twentieth century as well as an important figure in the mingei folk- art movement. In addition, he worked with Bernard Leach another famous studio potter. He was delegated a "Living National Treasure" in 1955. This is one of his pieces of art work that caught my eye. I like the simplicity of the design as well as the colors. The vase was probably made from a slab and then molded into its current shape and finished off with a glaze adding the beautiful colors.

Shoji Hamada

Throughout a lifetime dedicated to making pottery he achieved international recognition and his works have been collected by museums across the world. Hamada influence was felt not only in his native Japan, particularly in Mashiko, but also in the West. In the United Kingdom and the US his style and philosophy became well known amongst potters and he was revered as the archetypal "Oriental" potter.I like these two pots beaqcuse i like how they are square and aren't like other normal pots.

Shoji Hamada

Shoji Hamada was one of the most influential potters of the 20th century. He traveled a lot to learn about diverse ceramics and folk craft traditions. He also build a climbing kiln in England at St. Ives with Bernard Leach through the USA to give ceramic demonstration and workshops.Years later after receiving the Tochigi Prefecture Culture Award and Minister of Education Award for Art, and also won several other awards in Japan. I picked this piece I like the texture of the vase towards the bottom, the curvy lines and also how the colors blend.  The bottle is made out of stoneware with wooden box.

Shoji Hamada

Shoji Hamada is considered to be one of the most influential potters of the 20th century.  He traveled to learn about the diverse ceramic techniques and folk craft traditions.  He has received international recognition as well as the honor of his wolfs being collected by the worlds greatest museums.  Hamada and Leach started the folk art movement. He has a relaxed style and is said to have a lot of creative energy and although his designs seem visually complicated they were usually born in the moment.  I picked this piece because the shape is a twist on a traditional bottle or vase.  I like how the piece is square including the vase and the opening.  I can see the connection to Bernard Leach in the similar style.  I like how the colors are natural but the design makes it interesting to look at. 

Shoji Hamada

Shoji Hamada was a Japanese potter who had a major influence in the twentieth century of ceramics. He has very simple but detailed pots, especially slab pots. This piece, called the Pourer, tetsue brushwork, was made in 1960. I liked this piece because its one of his most simple and elegant works. It looks like it was made on a wheel and the the pouring part was attached after. The brown details look like a design done by a different color glaze with fine detail.

Shoji Hamada

Flat Vase, Khaki Glaze, Green-Drop Type

Shoji Hamada was born in Tokyo, Japan and died in Mashiko, Japan. He was an importantn member of the mingei folk art movement. He was trained in pottery at Tokyo Technical College. While he was in school, he went to an exhibition of ceramic art that impressed him. The show he saw was  the work of Bernard Leach. Shoji Hamada and Bernard Leach became friends and went back to St. Ives, United Kingdom. Hamada lived in the United Kingdom for 3 years and soon after returned to Japan to create his own studio.

Shoji

Shoji Hamada was at one point known as a living national treasure. His work influenced studio pottery immensely and was a major figure in the mingei folk-art movement. I chose this piece because the pop of color on it stood out to me, due to the use of similar darker colors in his other works. I also am intrigued by the thinness and size of the bottom of the bowl despite how it wide the bowl amounts up to be.