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Mashiko

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:02:07 +0000

Mashiko Ware: Characteristics

Mashiko Ware centers on the concept of “Functional Beauty”

It is said that Mashiko Ware began at the end of the Edo Era when Keisaburo Otsuka, who trained in Kasama, built a kiln. From that point onwards, because of the area’s yield of excellent kaolin and the fact that the large metropolis of Tokyo was nearby, Mashiko developed into a production area of pots, urns and water jars and other daily use items.

In 1924, Shoji Hamada moved into this region, and together with artists like Muneyoshi Yanagi, who paid attention to “Functional Beauty”, pushed the folk arts movement forward. He was also greatly influenced by the local artisans and took the side that Mashiko Ware was “works of art”.

Currently, there are 380 pottery studios and 50 pottery stores in Mashiko. There are many ceramicists, from young novices to veterans, who have built kilns here, and employ a diversity of styles. In spring and fall, pottery towns open up to many admirers of ceramics.

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Article by Mashiko Town Tourist Association

Mashiko – Potter

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:01:41 +0000

Hamada Shoji (1894-1978)
Hamada was a ceramicist who advocated the folk arts movement. He once wrote, “I found my way in Kyoto, began in Great Britain, learned in Okinawa and graduated in Mashiko”.
In 1955, he was designated as the first Living National Treasure, and in 1968, he was awarded with Japan’s Order of Culture.

Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1919-2007)
Shimaoka was the ceramicist who created the original “Jomon Inlay”. In 1946, he became the pupil of Shoji Hamada. In 1962, he was given the Japan Folk Arts Museum Award, and in 1980, he won selected for the Tochigi Prefectural Cultural Merit Award. In 1996, he was designated as a Living National Treasure.

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Article by Mashiko Town Tourist Association

Mashiko – Photos

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:00:01 +0000

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Photos by Mashiko Town Tourist Association

Mashiko – Travel

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:50:47 +0000

Basic Information / Articles
- Wikipedia
- Wikitravel
- About.com
- iGuide
- The Japan Times
- Frommer’s
- e-YAKIMONO.NET
- Japan National Tourism Organization
- Mashiko Town Tourist Association (Japanese)
- Photos on flickr

Programs / Activities
- Pottery experience in Mashiko (for Beginnes)
- 1 day tour in Mashiko
- 30-day pottery making in Mashiko

Accommodations
Mashikokan
- Official (Japanese)
- Reservation (JAPANiCAN)
- Reviews(TripAdvisor)
- Google Map
Mashiko Dokei
- Official (Japansese)
- Photos on flickr
- Google Map
Pension SIGHT
- Official (Japansese)
- Photos on flickr
- Google Map
Forest Mashiko
- Official (Japansese)
- Google Map
Accomodations in Utsunomiya
- Reservation (JAPANiCAN / Rakuten / JTO)

Museums
Mashiko Reference Collection Museum (Mashiko Sankokan)
- Official (Japansese)
- e-YAKIMONO.NET
- Photos on flickr
- Google Map
Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art (Ceramic Art Messe Mashiko)
- Official (Japansese)
- Google Map

Restaurants
Meisui (Soba)
- Photos on flickr
- Google Map
Sariki Kyogasaka (Kaiseki, Japanese Cuisine)
- Official (Japansese)
- Google Map
Yamani (Japanese Food)
- Official (Japansese)
- Google Map

Ceramic Art Galleries / Pottery Shops
Toko
- Official (Japansese)
- Photos on flickr
- Google Map
Kanoya
- Official (Japansese)
- Photos on flickr
- Google Map
Moegi
- Official (Japansese)
- Google Map
Starnet
- Official (Japansese)
- Photos on flickr
- Google Map

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