Kintaro's Ride in Mashiko

Tatsuzo Shimaoka Workshop Damage In Mashiko, Japan

Kindly send your contributions to:

TATSUZO RELIEF FUND

Headquarters: 4089-6 Mashiko, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture, 

Japan 321-4217

Bank name: Utsunomiya Branch, Resona Bank

Account number: 317-1995701

Account Holder: Fudeya Yoshiko

Swift code: DIWAJPJT

Alternatively, you can send an International Postal Money Order to:

  Fudeya Yoshiko

4089-6 Mashiko, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture, 

Japan 321-4217

Make a note that it is for the Tatsuzo Fund.

Prospectus on The Tatsuzo Shimaoka Fund (TSF)  – fund set up to help Mashiko potters cope with the aftermath of the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake rebuild their lives The town of Mashiko, situated in the northern Kanto region on Honshu, Japan’s main island, suffered serious damage resulting from the Great Kanto Earthquake and a series of aftershocks still continuing a month after the greatest national catastrophe in the recorded history of Japan. With the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant only 80 miles away, how soon and whether the crippled nuclear complex can be brought under control is beyond prophecy. Our fear and anxiety are growing daily.

Our town is popularity known as the center of Mashiko-yaki pottery. Those of us engaged in pottery here have sadly seen our climbing kilns, electric and gas kilns, our various works that are our pride and joy, and our workshops sustain serious damage. We at the TSF firmly believe that, in order for Mashiko to regain its vigor, we should priority efforts to help repair and/or rebuild the damaged kilns. When the news of the damage Mashiko suffered spread overseas, many potters, who had once trained here under my later father Tatsuzo Shimaoka as their master, kindly offered to make contributions to help Mashiko. We thought it best to set up a fund to make the most of the touching gesture of support reflecting the potters’ attachment to our town and dedication to Mashiko-yaki. Contributions received here will be utilized to as part of monetary assistance to young potters who will carry the torch for Mashiko’s future, as well as those aspiring young potters who required support in the past but have had difficulty in obtaining it in the past.

As the oldest child of the late Tatsuzo Shimaoka, designated a  “Living Human Treasure” at his prime, I have always wondered how my father would have handled a difficult situation every time I had to make tough decisions. I am confident my decision this time is in keeping with his spirit. I wish to take thi  opportunity to sincerely thank all our friends who have expressed their concern about our safety and wellbeing as we continue to face anxious situation marred by the frequent aftershocks and the growing fear of radiation.
   
We continue to welcome contributions from anyone who agrees with our mission and agrees to give us
a helping hand.
   
Gratefully yours,
Yoshiko Shimaoka Fudeya
(Eldest daughter of Tatsuzo Shimaoka)
Swift Cord DIWAJPJT

You can send an International Postal Money Order to:

 Fudeya Yoshiko

 4089-6 Mashiko, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture, 

Japan 321-4217

Make a note that it is for the Tatsuzo Fund.

Pre-Schoolers Near Our House In Mashiko. 2007

Shimaoka Crew, Not Long After I Arrived, Early 2000

Destruction At Hamada Museum

Mashiko Pottery Foundation

Shoji Hamada's Noborigama

After the Earthquake

Ken Matsuzaki writes:
I would like to thank you for your help to rebuild Mashiko. I appreciate very much everyone's favor.Having talked with the Mayer of Mashiko town, we agreed to set up the foundation between NPOs. It is called as "Mashiko Potter Foundation" to be used exclusively for the pottery. We will use it with care not to waste your favors. Please give my regards to everyone who are involved.      Ken Matsuzaki

Please refer to the following for details:

Please send the amount to MPF account listed below,

Account Name : MPF

Bank Name : The Ashikaga Bank,Ltd..

Mashiko branch

Bank Address : 967 Mashiko, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun

Tochigi-ken, Japan 3214217 Tel:0285-72-2131

SWIFT CODE : ASIKJPJT

Account No. : ordinary account No.195-3009543

More from Ken Matsuzaki:

“Mashiko, the Sacred Place of Mingei”

by Ken Matsuzaki on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 6:25am

Japan is almost crushed by the Tohoku Huge Earthquake Disaster which we have never experienced before.

In Mashiko, nearly all the Nobori kilns fell down, and Mashiko’s firing is about to go out.

We, potters, cannot help being shocked because the kiln is the soul of us. .

We cannot turn off this fire in “Mashiko, the Sacred Place of Mingei”, “Mashiko, Town of Handcraft”, which Shoji Hamada established. We must keep the smoke coming out of chimneys in Mashiko.

We are asking young potters to rebuild the Nobori kilns.

It is important to help each other to rebuild the kiln. We believe that this young power will revive “Mashiko, Town of Handcraft”

Also, the rebuilding of Mashiko Sankokan Museum, cultural heritage, which Shoji Hamada left, is must.

I will also rebuild my kilns and will do my best to contribute to Mashiko as well as all the places suffering from the Tohoku Disaster.

I would like to ask for your support. Thank you.

Ken Matsuzaki

Jizo Bottle

55 Chawan at 55 years old

Okinawan Funerary Urns.

Yanagi and Hamada got a call from Okinawa. A bunch of Okinawan Funerary Urns were going to be "plowed under" to make way for a new American airfield. They arrived in time to save a bunch of them. Here are some at Hamada's Museum.

Hamada Nobroigama

Mashiko Potter In Minneapolis

I mostly post here now, because I moved to Minnesota: http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/

Raymond Avenue Show