10/19/2017
Featured Item: Mashiko Ware
Origin: Mashiko-mashi, Tochigi Prefecture
For many people the ceramic town of Mashiko is linked with the potter Shoji Hamada(1894-1978) and Bernard Leach(1887-1979). Leach, a British Potter who eventually settled in England's St. Ives in Cornwell, and Hamada designated a Living National Treasure worked with others including Soetsu Yanagi and other to promulgate the virtues of mingai, or folkcraft of which Mashiko ware became a prime example.
The distinctive folkcraft appearance and the modest simplicity of Mashiko make it an appealing tableware. At present the kilns are producing primarily large platters, bowls and bottles.