Shoji Hamada (1894–1978) Japanese Mingei Stoneware Bottle Vase

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A stunning example of Shoji Hamada’s iconic Mingei craftsmanship, this rectangular bottle vase attributed to the artist captures the quiet … Read more A stunning example of Shoji Hamada’s iconic Mingei craftsmanship, this rectangular bottle vase attributed to the artist captures the quiet beauty and timeless spirit of Japanese folk pottery. Press-molded with refined precision, it is finished in Hamada’s signature celadon green glaze paired with the creamy, soft "nuka" glaze—a combination that perfectly embodies the principles of wabi-sabi, celebrating simplicity, naturalness, and the subtle imperfection of handmade work.

The form is a signature of Hamada’s: a tall, rectangular body crowned with a narrow, faceted square neck, balancing geometric rigor with organic warmth. This piece exemplifies his ability to merge function with artistry, creating vessels that are as practical as they are visually compelling. The glaze flows seamlessly across the surface, its gentle transitions enhanced by delicate crackling and faint variations in tone.

These nuances invite close contemplation, drawing attention to the dialogue between deliberate design and serendipitous natural effects—hallmarks of Hamada’s legacy. The bottle’s serene yet dynamic surface offers a tactile and visual experience that honors the traditions of Japanese folk craft while asserting its place as a timeless work of studio pottery.

About the artist:

Shoji Hamada (1894–1978) was one of Japan’s most influential potters and a central figure in the twentieth-century studio pottery movement. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, he studied ceramics at the Tokyo Higher Technical School (now the Tokyo Institute of Technology), where he trained under the renowned potter Itaya Hazan. After graduation, he worked at the Kyoto City Ceramic Research Institute, collaborating with Kawai Kanjirō and traveling extensively through Japan’s historic pottery centers to study traditional methods and materials.

In 1920, Hamada traveled to England with the British potter Bernard Leach, helping to establish the Leach Pottery in St Ives, Cornwall. The years in England were formative: Hamada absorbed Western studio-craft ideas while introducing Japanese kiln and glaze techniques. He returned to Japan in 1923 and soon settled in the rural pottery town of Mashiko, where he began producing the functional stoneware for which he became celebrated.

Hamada became a leading proponent of the Mingei (folk craft) movement, founded with philosopher Yanagi Sōetsu and fellow potter Kawai Kanjirō. The movement honored the beauty of everyday, handmade objects and the spiritual value of craftsmanship over industrial production. Hamada’s pottery embodied this philosophy through its simplicity, spontaneity, and respect for natural materials.

In recognition of his mastery and contribution to Japanese cultural heritage, Hamada was designated a Living National Treasure in 1955 and awarded the Order of Culture in 1968. He also served as director of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum and established the Mashiko Sankōkan Museum near his home in 1977. Hamada continued to work in Mashiko until his death in 1978. His legacy endures through the continued vitality of Mashiko’s pottery community and his influence on generations of ceramic artists worldwide. See less