Shoji Hamada

Shoji Hamada: A Potter's Way and Work is an ebullient, fascinating portrait of a great potter, tracing his place in the ceramic tradition and revealing a keen perception of his energetic life style, his dazzling work cycle, and intriguing specifics about the firing of his kilns. Along with Bernard Leach, Shoji Hamada was one of the key figures in the development of studio pottery in the 20th century, resurrecting the craft after its near demise during the Industrial Revolution. His influence both in England and the U.S., as well as in his native Japan, cannot be underestimated. The Japanese government designated him a Living National Treasure in 1955 and awarded him the Order of Culture in 1968. Shoji Hamada is inspirational to anyone seeking to set off on a career as a studio potter, and is a must for anyone interested in the evolution of hand pottery and the dynamics of ceramics in general.