Mashiko Pottery.

Kintaro's Ride in Mashiko

2012-01-21T13:06:00.001+09:00

Tatsuzo Shimaoka Workshop Damage In Mashiko, Japan

2012-01-20T02:44:00.000+09:00

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

2011-12-31T06:15:00.000+09:00

Shimaoka Crew, Not Long After I Arrived, Early 2000

2011-10-08T04:33:00.000+09:00

Destruction At Hamada Museum

2011-03-22T08:22:00.000+09:00

Mashiko Pottery Foundation

2011-03-20T00:16:00.009+09:00

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

2011-01-19T00:30:00.000+09:00

55 Chawan at 55 years old

2011-01-18T12:38:00.000+09:00

Okinawan Funerary Urns.

2010-12-26T06:02:00.000+09:00

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

2010-04-30T00:34:00.000+09:00

Mashiko Potter In Minneapolis

2009-08-24T01:22:00.001+09:00

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

Raymond Avenue Show

2008-11-18T21:37:00.001+09:00

Raymond Avenue Show

2008-11-18T21:37:00.000+09:00

My "Morning Coffee" Tea Bowl

2008-11-07T21:15:00.000+09:00

Mars Teabowl

2007-08-29T22:10:00.000+09:00

"The Mars Teabow!" I made it on August 27, 2003 at 9:51 Universal Time. Next time Mars will be so close is August 28, 2287 I am the potter who made pots closest to the planet Mars!

GalleryShunnShow

2007-02-06T00:38:00.000+09:00

Gallery Shunn has a section at its New York Branch webpage (looks like it is in the middle of being revamped):
Gallery Gen http://gallerygen.com/

Starting in July 2007, I will be spending summers in Minneapolis.
It is great to show in Tokyo before starting this "bi-location."

2007-02-06T00:26:00.000+09:00

Artwork on the Walls and furniture is by gallery owner Mr. Yuki

Sake label by Mr. Yuki

2007-02-06T00:04:00.000+09:00

2007-02-05T23:56:00.000+09:00

My lunch at one of the two restaurants Mr. Yuki runs next to Shunn. Good food, very reasonably priced. The other restaurant is more up scaled and by appointment only.

2007-02-05T23:46:00.000+09:00

Photos by Keith of NZ. Thank You Keith!

2007-02-05T21:45:00.000+09:00

2007-02-04T14:24:00.000+09:00

Photos By Swanica. Thanks Swanica!

2007-02-04T14:23:00.000+09:00

2007-02-04T13:56:00.000+09:00

2007-02-04T12:10:00.000+09:00

This was my favorite Yohen form from Shimaoka's kiln.

Lotus Henko, 3 Fish on back

Minagawa-san, Lee and Nagai-san

Gallery Shunn, Tokyo January 24-28, 2007

2006-12-25T13:54:00.000+09:00

Click on image above for larger image.

Map To Shunn

2006-12-23T12:02:00.000+09:00

First Mogusa 艾 Clay and E-Shino

2006-10-09T09:11:00.000+09:00

Shino was a Favorite glaze of mine in Minnesota. I have made many tests, and after about 5 years of test have come up with something I like.

The clay is have Mogusa shino clay and Half Mashiko Nami. Iron brush unglaze decoration.

Top two with inlay. Bottom Hakame.

2006-05-24T09:54:00.000+09:00

Zogan Jomon inlay.

2006-05-24T01:32:00.000+09:00

More Hakame

2006-05-24T01:27:00.000+09:00

More Hakame Pots

2006-05-24T01:22:00.000+09:00

Hard to see the hakame, but it is what lets the tenmoku break on the lip/

Gosu, iron and hakame slip under nami jiro glaze.

At Tokiichi.

2006-05-15T22:41:00.000+09:00

Chawan: Hakame and Nami Jiro Glaze.
A couple bought these two bowls st Tokiich for his parent's 50th anniversery.

Chawan: Faceted, inlayed, with high alumina shino glaze.

Boxes came today. Signed them and will send them with the print that was also purchase as a 50th anniversery gift. It is the year of the dog and Jean's print was of an Inu Hariko Dog.

More Pots From Last firing.

2006-05-15T22:35:00.000+09:00

Hakame, Nami Jiro Glaze

Shino over shino.
Shino and Inlay

2006-02-27T00:18:00.000+09:00

Teabowl. Co-shigaraki Arame clay. Shino hakame decoration. Fly ash flashing and glaze.

Pedestal Vase. Co-shigaraki hosome clay. Flyash flashing and glazing. Zogan inlay.

Kokubine. Co-shigaraki hosome clay. Wheel thrown and squared in a mold. Wire faceting and zogan inlay. Flyash flashing and glaze.

2006-02-26T23:44:00.000+09:00

Woodfired, Shigaraiki clay pedestal bowl. Flyash flash and glazing. Chatter marking, zogan inlay.

Squared Osara. Minnesota type Shino, Ricestraw markings.

Tokuri. Shigaraki clay, fired on shells on its side. Rice straw marks. Zogan inlay.

Nuka over Tenmoku

2006-02-14T23:15:00.000+09:00

Hosome (small stones) Ko-shigaraki (old type) Plum blossom inlay

2006-01-18T06:10:00.000+09:00

Ararae Ko-shigaraki bowl.

2006-01-18T06:03:00.000+09:00

This bowl is made of large stone old-style shigaraki clay. Fired 3 times.

Sake Mug

2005-12-14T01:04:00.000+09:00

Shimaoka kiln "Kiln work" Tokuri.

2005-12-14T00:58:00.000+09:00

2005-11-28T23:25:00.001+09:00

Shigaraki teabowl.
Comments? write: togeika@gmail.com

2005-11-28T23:25:00.000+09:00

Mashiko Nami clay teabowl.
Comments? write: togeika@gmail.com

2005-11-28T23:23:00.000+09:00

Inspired by a Hamada tea bowl.
Comments? write: togeika@gmail.com

Square Plates

2005-11-17T15:07:00.000+09:00

I posted this information back in Feb. 2000 from my experiences here in Mashiko. Round plates can be as easily made as square ones (we made square, oval, rectangular and round cornered square plates with this method.) Just make the slab template in the shape you desire, even irregular shapes. Using the bag of cornstarch and paper give the sides a nice curve. As someone on ClayArt told me in private mail after using this method, the clay coils shrink with the plate and this reduces warping. If you have any questions, please ask and I will do my best to explain. No need to wait for the book. ;^) The two posts follow below:

Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 11:13:46 EST
Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
From: Lee Love
Subject: Re: square plates
--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lee Love
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 11:13:46 EST
Subject: Re: square plates
Message-ID:

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
At the first pottery I working in, here in Mashiko (I worked there for two and a half months), the most interesting thing I learned was what they taught all the new employees in the beginning: making plates, sushi platters and pickle dishes just using a cutout, some newspaper and extruded clay coils (hebi nendo = clay snake.)

Most of the templates were cut out of light plywood and were either squares or rectangles or rounded cornered squares or rectangles, but you could actually use any shape and cut them out of card board. The clay is smoothed with a metal scraper on both sides. you then lay it on 3 sheets of paper on a board,the paper is a little bigger than the slab you use (we cut the slabs from a block of clay, using a cutting wire and cutting slats).

Lay the template down and cut the shape you want. Remove the excess clay. Then, take come clay snake and put it under the edge of the clay shape, so that half of the snake is covered by the edge of the slab. On square or rectangular shapes, you lay snakes at parallel ends, and then you lay the two other sides, with the ends crossing the first snakes. The snakes should be under two sheets of paper, and on top of the bottom sheet. Next, take a cotton bag filled with cornstarch (tie the end with a rubber band to hold the starch in) and smooth the slap from the middle to the edge. To get a nice smooth surface on the wall of the outside of the plate, lift the two pieces of paper and roll the cornstarch bag into the edge, toward the clay snake. When you have all the edges the way you want them, slide the form off of the board with the paper and snakes intact and leave it out to dry. When it is dry, you can smooth the edges with a
shammie.

Where I work now, I am developing a new respect for molded work. I work next to the retired Forman who makes most of the molded bottles, jars, bowls, etc. Right now, he is making little calligraphy water droppers. I think he does most of the production of these molded forms and does the finishing, but the Sensei does the enamel work on them. I want to learn the mold work so my wife can make her own work and do he decoration on them. The slab work would also be nice flat surfacesn for her to put her imagery on.

--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Hi Curtis (I'll send a copy to ClayArt because I've received other questions
from there),

A quick note for now. (I'm moving the big stuff to our new house/studio today. And English potter from Kasama is coming over to help with his big van.)

You can make the snakes follow the exact shape of the slab, (I typoed slap for slab before) but it isn't necessary. For some reason, all the sides are the same, even if the parallel side snakes overlap the first ones. The snakes go under two of the papers, but over one paper. You need two papers for strength under the slab because otherwise they get wet and fall apart. The snakes I used were a little under an inch in circumference.

You pat with the cornstarch bag, otherwise, you smudge the clay. The cloth bag gives the plate a nice texture.

You lift the paper at the edge of the slab to give the side a nice curve and so that you don't imprint the snake on the outside edge. If you don't lift the paper toward the bag when you get to the edge, you with have a concaved indentation on the outside of the edge of the wall.

The paper under the snakes is so that you can move the snakes and the slab together, after you are finished shaping. The snakes remain with the plate until it is hard enough to hold its shape. At that time, you smooth the edges with a shammie.

Hope this clarifies my post. Please write with more questions if it didn't. :^) My wife is going to clobber me if I don't get off of my "Toy" and start packing. ;^)

--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan Ikiru@Kami.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This entry linked to Wikispaces page (Test Import)

Dark Clay, White Inlay

2005-11-17T07:46:00.000+09:00

Iron Clay, Light Inlay, Herringbone Pattern

2005-11-17T07:42:00.000+09:00

Light Clay, Iron Inlay

2005-11-17T07:40:00.000+09:00

Iron Clay,

2005-11-17T07:35:00.000+09:00

Light Clay, Dark Inlay

2005-11-17T00:30:00.000+09:00

Iron Clay, White Inlay

2005-11-17T00:27:00.000+09:00

2005-09-17T23:11:00.000+09:00

Making henko, using a woodblock from a print of Hamada's kiln, to make an impression for contrasting inlay. One is light clay with dark inlay and the other dark clay with white inlay.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-09-17T23:01:00.000+09:00

Closeup. Ocher inlay on Mashiko nami, light colored clay.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-09-17T22:59:00.000+09:00

Torch for scale. This is white inlay on iron clay (half mashiko nami, half mashiko red.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-09-17T22:58:00.000+09:00

The new clay doesn't like handbuilding much, especially the nami (light colored.) May have to add something to it. We will see if either of these survive. If they crack, then we get to use them.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-14T20:53:00.000+09:00

They just backhoed all the construction scrap out of our courtyard.
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2005-07-14T20:51:00.000+09:00

Large Tokuri (Sake flask, like what people used to take to the Sake shop to get filled.) Slipped, before scraping inlay.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-12T23:42:00.000+09:00

Teabowl, ash glazed, gosu, hakame and iron slip decoration (with straw brush.)
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-12T22:29:00.000+09:00

Insided. Hakame slipped.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-12T22:27:00.000+09:00

A copy of a Yayoi pot my teacher owns.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-12T22:26:00.000+09:00

Shigaraki Tsubo, Paddled with Fish Design.
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2005-07-12T22:24:00.000+09:00

Tokuri, Ash Glaze with Green Ricehull Ash Glaze
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-12T22:16:00.000+09:00

Tsubo, Tenmoku with Kaki sliptrail
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-12T22:12:00.000+09:00

Wheel thrown, paddled and faceted square bottle. Inspired by Cocubine.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-12T22:10:00.000+09:00

Irabo Glaze, Gosu and Hakame inlay. Shigraraki Clay.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-12T22:08:00.001+09:00

Water Discard Bowl.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-12T22:08:00.000+09:00

Coffee Bowl.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-12T22:07:00.000+09:00

Inside.
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2005-07-12T22:06:00.000+09:00

Foot.
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2005-07-12T22:03:00.000+09:00

Covered Jar.
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2005-07-12T22:01:00.000+09:00

Shallow, high footed dish.
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2005-07-12T21:57:00.000+09:00

Sent this to Tacoma.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-09T09:02:00.000+09:00

John Baymore taking a photo of my work at Tsukamoto's. My display is in front of Hamada's display (You can see Hamada's photo in the background.) When Fokti started charging 50 bucks for premium services, I refused to pay. The good news is that they don't delete your photos, they only keep you from uploading new ones. I think I will start moving them to Blogger.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-02T09:03:00.000+09:00

A pot I made for Me.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-02T09:01:00.000+09:00

Some ash pool green in the tea well.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-07-02T09:00:00.000+09:00

Shot of foot.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-06-21T23:41:00.000+09:00

This is where my love of pointy eared dogs come from. 1954 in Sakai (outside of Osaka) with Japanese Spitz named Lady.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-06-19T12:28:00.000+09:00

One form to another.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-06-18T18:32:00.000+09:00

New yunomi form. Kinda like a cut section of bamboo.
Want to post comments? Write me: Togeika@gmail.com

2005-06-08T23:36:00.000+09:00

These are small cherries in a Bizen clay guinomi from a Mountain Cherry tree. They are about the size of peas.
Lee Love

2005-06-08T22:54:00.001+09:00

The gate to our local shrine. It is just a neighborhood shrine where local people come to do various ceremonies, usually at planting and harvest time.
Lee Love

2005-06-08T22:54:00.000+09:00

Taiko likes walking to our local shrine when it is raining or really hot.
Lee Love

2005-06-08T22:53:00.000+09:00

This is a shrine next to a pump station.
Lee Love

2005-06-08T22:52:00.000+09:00

Never noticed so many fish in the river until I started biking along it.
Lee Love

2005-06-08T22:51:00.001+09:00

It is rare to see a river in Japan that isn't banked with concrete
Lee Love

2005-06-08T22:51:00.000+09:00

I have been riding my bike from the Community Center, where our woodblock club meets home, along the river.
Lee Love

2005-06-08T22:50:00.000+09:00

Found a nice spot by the river for a picnic.
Lee Love

2005-06-08T19:55:00.000+09:00

Kuro Ame tsubo with Kaki drips.
Lee Love

2005-06-07T20:53:00.000+09:00

"Low and Wide" cup with my new shino type glaze.
Lee Love

2005-06-07T20:52:00.000+09:00

Jean's vase: Kuro Ame glaze with Nuka splash over hakame slip on Mashiko Nami clay.
Lee Love

2005-06-03T08:54:00.000+09:00

Latest Shino. David from N.Y. (going to study with Tony at Sheridan) bought the mug.
Lee Love

2005-06-03T08:50:00.000+09:00

Catches ash nicely.
Lee Love

2005-05-24T18:41:00.000+09:00

The single greatest health hazard to a fulltime potter is silica dust. I decided to move my glaze materials/scale mixing station from the studio, to the open kiln room. It has two rollup garage doors on the west side.
Lee Love

2005-05-24T18:39:00.000+09:00

My frequent materials are in 45liter trash cans. These hold 30kg and 25kg bags easily
Lee Love

2005-05-24T18:38:00.000+09:00

I mounted a fan at the door side, to whisk any dust out of the work area.
Lee Love

2005-05-24T18:37:00.000+09:00

Top shelves
Lee Love

ニユウエーブ　New Wabu (New Wave)

2005-05-18T12:52:00.000+09:00

Hey, got my photo in Tokyo Shimbun. Jean's student told her a "quick" translation. I am just titled "An American Potter". The article says something to the effect that the quality of the Toki-ich has declined in the past 10, but the Meese　Ceramic Muesum grounds (where I was) is the place to see creative and original work.
Lee Love

2005-05-16T22:04:00.000+09:00

Selling a mug with my new "Minnesota Shino" on it.
Lee Love

2005-05-16T22:02:00.001+09:00

Tony says they don't know about strings on straw hats in Canada. ;^)
Lee Love

2005-05-16T22:02:00.000+09:00

Jean taking a break.
Lee Love

Mashiko Pottery.

Kintaro's Ride in Mashiko

Tatsuzo Shimaoka Workshop Damage In Mashiko, Japan

Pre-Schoolers Near Our House In Mashiko. 2007

Shimaoka Crew, Not Long After I Arrived, Early 2000

Destruction At Hamada Museum

Mashiko Pottery Foundation

“Mashiko, the Sacred Place of Mingei”

Jizo Bottle

55 Chawan at 55 years old

Okinawan Funerary Urns.

Hamada Nobroigama

Mashiko Potter In Minneapolis

Raymond Avenue Show

Raymond Avenue Show

My "Morning Coffee" Tea Bowl

Mars Teabowl

GalleryShunnShow

Photos by Keith of NZ. Thank You Keith!

Photos By Swanica. Thanks Swanica!

Gallery Shunn, Tokyo January 24-28, 2007

Map To Shunn

First Mogusa 艾 Clay and E-Shino

Top two with inlay. Bottom Hakame.

Zogan Jomon inlay.

More Hakame

More Hakame Pots

At Tokiichi.

More Pots From Last firing.

Nuka over Tenmoku

Hosome (small stones) Ko-shigaraki (old type) Plum blossom inlay

Ararae Ko-shigaraki bowl.

Sake Mug

Shimaoka kiln "Kiln work" Tokuri.

Square Plates

Dark Clay, White Inlay

Iron Clay, Light Inlay, Herringbone Pattern

Light Clay, Iron Inlay

Iron Clay,

Light Clay, Dark Inlay

Iron Clay, White Inlay

ニユウエーブ New Wabu (New Wave)

ニユウエーブ　New Wabu (New Wave)