Shoji Hamada: A Potter's Way and Work

(Paperback)

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An in-depth portrait of the life and work of Shoji Hamada, one of the key figures behind the development of studio pottery in the 20th century, and the legacy he left. Shoji Hamada was one of the seminal figures in 20th century ceramics. Along with the British potter Bernard Leach, he was instrumental in the development of the international Studio Pottery movement in the early 1900s. Their dramatic influences are still felt today, particularly in the United States and Great Britain. Hamada, also a major figure in Japans folk art revival, was designated a Living National Treasure by the Japanese government in 1955 and awarded the Order of Culture in 1968. Shoji Hamada is an ebullient and fascinating portrait of a great potter, tracing his place in the ceramic tradition and revealing a keen perception of his energetic lifestyle, dazzling work cycle, and intriguing specifics about the firing of his kilns. The text and over 200 new colour photographs from Petersons stay at Hamadas compound in 1970 present a wealth of detail about techniques and processes. Equally important are the authors insights depicting Hamadas bequest to us: one whose life was concentrated toward the perpetuation and achievement of fundamental, unchanging and universal values and goals. In this completely re-designed and updated version of her classic book, Susan Peterson brings together the East-West connection personified by Hamada and Leach. In a completely new concluding chapter, she assesses Hamadas ongoing legacy to the world of studio pottery. This is an authoritative account of one of the towering figures in the ceramics world by one of the first people to welcome him to America in the early 1950s. The book is a must for anyone interested in the evolvement of hand pottery and the dynamics of ceramics in general.

Reviews

This book covers anything and everything one might want to know about the potter and his work, but even so, it is still an incredibly easy read. The language is accessible to people who have not studied pottery, but also enriching for those that have. The book covers everything from his workflow, techniques, glazes, kilns, family life, and even the way Hamada himself thinks. [...] The photo albums scattered throughout the book are both an enjoyable and invaluable addition to the biography [...] If you are at all a fan of the arts, even just a little, I would definitely recommend this book. -- Ruth Duncan * Union University Library Blog *

Author Bio

Susan Peterson, Professor Emerita from Hunter College, City University of New York was a practising ceramicist whose work has been shown throughout the world. She wrote many pottery-related books, including The Craft and Art of Clay, Pottery by American Women, Contemporary Ceramics and Working with Clay.