Hamada Shoji is born in 1894 in Tokyo (Japan). He studies ceramics at Tokyo Technical College in 1913. He visites Japan's traditional pottery sites in 1915. Hamada meets with Bernard Leach in 1918. In 1919 he works with Leach at Abiko. In 1920 they both travel to England and Hamada is helping to build a climbing kiln at St. Ives. In 1923 two shows are following at Paterson's Gallery in London. In 1923-24 Hamada is touring through Europe before returning to Japan. In 1929 Hamada is visiting England again with Yanagi for a new exhibition at Paterson's Gallery in London. In 1930 he starts a pottery at Mashiko. In 1931 follows a new exhibition at Patterson's Gallery. Hamada is traveling to Dartingtonwith Yanagi for a conference followed by a trip to the USA with Bernard Leach.
Hamada is an enormously influential potter in the history of British studio pottery. He helped Bernard Leach establish his pottery in St. Ives. (Text source Watson, Oliver).
Pictures: Hamada Shoji outside his Mashiko Pottery studio 1974 (source Native & Co,); Hamada in his workshop; Hamada throwing at the wheel, in the middle Bernard Leach, left Soetsu Yanagi; two objects (source: Maak auctions, London 2013).
Hamada Shoji is born in 1894 in Tokyo (Japan). He studies ceramics at Tokyo Technical College in 1913. He visites Japan's traditional pottery sites in 1915. Hamada meets with Bernard Leach in 1918. In 1919 he works with Leach at Abiko. In 1920 they both travel to England and Hamada is helping to build a climbing kiln at St. Ives. In 1923 two shows are following at Paterson's Gallery in London. In 1923-24 Hamada is touring through Europe before returning to Japan. In 1929 Hamada is visiting England again with Yanagi for a new exhibition at Paterson's Gallery in London. In 1930 he starts a pottery at Mashiko. In 1931 follows a new exhibition at Patterson's Gallery. Hamada is traveling to Dartingtonwith Yanagi for a conference followed by a trip to the USA with Bernard Leach.
Hamada is an enormously influential potter in the history of British studio pottery. He helped Bernard Leach establish his pottery in St. Ives. (Text source Watson, Oliver).
Pictures: Hamada Shoji outside his Mashiko Pottery studio 1974 (source Native & Co,); Hamada in his workshop; Hamada throwing at the wheel, in the middle Bernard Leach, left Soetsu Yanagi; two objects (source: Maak auctions, London 2013).