Potters:Shōji Hamada

Shōji Hamada (濱田 庄司, Hamada Shōji, 1894 – 1978) was a Japanese potter and a leading figure in the Mingei movement (folk craft movement). He is renowned for his role in reviving traditional pottery techniques, his influence on modern Japanese ceramics, and his contributions to making Mashiko ware internationally famous. In 1955, Hamada was designated a Living National Treasure by the Japanese government.

Early Life and Education

Hamada was born in Tokyo on December 9, 1894. He studied ceramics at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, where he was influenced by Kanjirō Kawai and Western art movements. In 1920, he traveled to England with Bernard Leach, working at the Leach Pottery in St Ives, Cornwall. This experience introduced him to both European studio pottery and the Arts and Crafts movement, which strongly shaped his philosophy.

Return to Japan and the Mingei Movement

In 1924, Hamada returned to Japan and settled in Mashiko, a rural pottery town in Tochigi Prefecture. There he began producing robust, functional wares inspired by local traditions and natural materials.

Hamada was closely associated with philosopher Sōetsu Yanagi and potter Kanjirō Kawai, with whom he founded the Mingei movement. This movement celebrated the beauty of everyday handcrafted objects, valuing anonymity, functionality, and the preservation of traditional techniques.

Style and Techniques

Hamada’s pottery is characterized by:

• Use of local Mashiko clay.
• Natural ash glazes and earthy color palettes (brown, white, green, and persimmon hues).
• Spontaneous brushwork and slip decoration.
• Emphasis on functional, everyday forms such as bowls, plates, and jars.

While deeply rooted in tradition, his work reflects a synthesis of Japanese folk aesthetics and influences from his time in England.

International Recognition

Hamada exhibited widely in Japan, Europe, and the United States. His close collaboration with Bernard Leach helped bridge Eastern and Western ceramic traditions. In 1955, he was named a Living National Treasure, affirming his mastery and role in cultural preservation.

In 1977, he was awarded the Order of Culture by the Japanese government. He died on January 5, 1978, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of ceramics.

Legacy

Hamada’s home and workshop in Mashiko have been preserved as the Hamada Shoji Museum of Mashiko, which continues to inspire potters worldwide. Many contemporary artisans in Mashiko trace their influence back to Hamada’s teaching and example.

See also

• Mashiko ware
• Mingei movement
• Bernard Leach
• Potters:Tatsuzō Shimaoka
• Japanese pottery

References

1. Cort, Louise Allison. Shōji Hamada: A Potter’s Way and Work. Kodansha International, 1979.
2. The Japan Folk Crafts Museum archives.
3. Hamada Shoji Museum of Mashiko official site.