What is Mashiko Pottery?
The origin of Mashiko pottery (Mashiko-yaki) is said to date back to 1852 during the Edo period. The clay originating from Mashiko’s soil is characterized by its low tenacity and high fire resistance. This led to the production of thick and rustic pottery which became an everyday staple. In the Taisho era, Shoji Hamada moved to Mashiko, later becoming a designated Living National Treasure, which promoted the folk art movement in the region. As a result, Mashiko-yaki, which was once treated simply as an everyday item, gained a unique artistic quality and came to be recognized as an artform.
Currently, there are over 400 pottery kilns dedicated to Mashiko-yaki, producing a wide variety of pieces. In 1979, Mashiko-yaki was recognized as a certified traditional craft (Dento-ko-gei-hin) of the country, leading to increased recognition. Today, Mashiko-yaki is cherished both nationally and internationally as a “warm and artistic” piece of Japan.