{"id":6156,"date":"2025-06-08T19:10:50","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T12:10:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/battrang.museum\/journal\/thi-tran-gom-mashiko\/"},"modified":"2025-06-10T16:06:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T09:06:43","slug":"the-pottery-town-of-mashiko","status":"publish","type":"journal","link":"https:\/\/battrang.museum\/en\/journal\/the-pottery-town-of-mashiko\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pottery Town of Mashiko"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1703585886398{background-image: url(http:\/\/battrang.museum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/IMG_6268.jpg?id=2342) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”20rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_empty_space height=”48rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”3rem”][vc_empty_space height=”3rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\n

The Pottery Town of Mashiko<\/h1>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”1rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_empty_space height=”3rem”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-2 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\n

Late autumn brought me on a journey to Japan with B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng Museum Atelier<\/a>. Over the course of two weeks exploring the country, we had the privilege of visiting the renowned pottery town of Mashiko.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Before arriving, I held a common but misguided assumption: that the Japanese were often reserved and hesitant around strangers. My past encounters felt like cordial exchanges\u2014polite but never quite reaching true connection.<\/p>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”7\/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text el_class=”event-time”]\r\n

Mashiko, a small town in Tochigi, is a key historic site for Japanese pottery.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][vc_single_image image=”2379″ img_size=”full” alignment=”right”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1635415240768{padding-right: 2rem !important;padding-left: 2rem !important;}”][vc_column_text]\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

A meeting of generations took place between pottery workshops in Mashiko, Japan, and <\/span>B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng-Vi\u1ec7t Nam.<\/a><\/h3>\r\n

<\/h3>\r\n

<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”8rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-2 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_empty_space height=”10rem”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Mashiko, however, shattered that perception.<\/p>\r\n

From our first encounter with Mr. Nobuya Aigun\u2014advisor to the historic Tsukamoto Kiln\u2014we felt sincerely welcomed. His warmth quickly dispelled the frustration caused earlier by our interpreter who had led us in circles around the town trying to locate him. It turned out Mr. Aigun had graciously agreed, through a brief message from a mutual friend in Tokyo, to give us a private tour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-10″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md”][vc_empty_space height=”4rem”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-8″][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][vc_single_image image=”2177″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_single_image image=”2121″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]\r\n

Mr. Nobuya Aigun, advisor at Tsukamoto Workshop, and Mr. V\u0169 Kh\u00e1nh T\u00f9ng, director of B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng Museum.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″ offset=”vc_col-md-2 vc_col-sm-offset-1 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-3″][vc_single_image image=”1194″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”14rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_empty_space height=”8rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\n

Rewinding Time and Memory<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

<\/b>Our walk through Mashiko began with Mr. Aigun recounting the town\u2019s history. Pottery production in Mashiko began in 1853, during the final years of the Edo period. Thanks to its proximity to Tokyo, the area quickly evolved into a center for functional ceramics. At the time, Mashiko ware lacked a defining style\u2014it was primarily utilitarian. The local fine clay made it ideal for creating lightweight wares for daily use. It was even said that thousands of Dobin teapots\u00b9<\/strong> were decorated every day.<\/p>\r\n

But what transformed this humble pottery town into a hub of ceramic art?<\/p>\r\n

\u201cArt Begins in the Everyday\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

\r\n<\/strong>That transformation came in 1930, with the arrival of Sh\u014dji Hamada\u2014later declared a Living National Treasure<\/i> (Ningen Kokuh\u014d)\u00b2<\/strong> of Japan. Hamada had just returned from England, where he had collaborated with Bernard Leach at the Leach Pottery in St. Ives, Cornwall, and held his first solo exhibition at the Paterson Gallery in London in 1923.<\/p>\r\n

Following a devastating earthquake in Kant\u014d that same year, Hamada decided to return to Japan, first visiting Mashiko in 1924, and settling there permanently in 1930.<\/p>\r\n

Hamada brought with him not only technical knowledge but also a philosophy deeply rooted in East-West aesthetics, folk art values, and personal expression. Through his practice, he elevated ordinary wares into art, blending function with beauty, tradition with innovation.<\/p>\r\n

His legacy inspired waves of artists to move to Mashiko\u2014especially in the 1970s\u2014turning it into a creative haven for ceramicists from across Japan and beyond.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

*<\/h1>\r\n
\u00b9 Dobin<\/strong> \u2013 A type of traditional Japanese teapot with a side handle, widely produced in Mashiko in the late 19th century.<\/h5>\r\n
\u00b2 Ningen Kokuh\u014d (\u4eba\u9593\u56fd\u5b9d<\/span>)<\/strong> \u2013 Japan\u2019s highest honor for masters of traditional arts, literally meaning \u201cLiving National Treasure.\u201d<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”4rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section el_class=”.grid-collection”][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2159″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2125″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2141″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2165″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2179″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2181″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2171″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2169″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”2135″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2149″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2143″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2369″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2367″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2359″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2357″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”2163″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\n

\u201cInheritance and Growth\u201d at Tsukamoto Kiln<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

\r\n<\/strong>Back at the Tsukamoto workshop, Mr. Aigun\u2014steeped in the spirit of Rihei Tsukamoto\u00b3<\/strong>\u2014shared every detail of the production process for the traditional Kamakko\u2074<\/strong> rice bowl. From machine-made stages to hand-finishing and kiln temperatures, nothing was held back.<\/p>\r\n

We were astonished to learn that 8,000 Kamakko bowls are produced here daily. But beyond numbers, the workshop\u2019s aesthetic\u2014the harmony of tools, clay, and light\u2014was captivating. Every corner looked like it belonged in a frame.<\/p>\r\n

In Mashiko, pottery classes led by master artisans are held regularly. We ended our workshop visit at the Tsukamoto showroom, which also functions as a retail space, featuring works by Mashiko potters\u2014including masterpieces by Sh\u014dji Hamada and his disciple Tatsuz\u014d Shimaoka\u2075<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

*<\/h1>\r\n
\u00b3 Rihei Tsukamoto <\/strong>\u2013 Founder of the Tsukamoto kiln, known for fostering a spirit of open sharing and craftsmanship.<\/h5>\r\n
\u2074 Kamakko<\/strong> \u2013 A classic-style rice bowl commonly used in Japanese households.<\/h5>\r\n
\u2075 Tatsuz\u014d Shimaoka (1919\u20132007)<\/strong> \u2013 A distinguished Mashiko potter and Hamada\u2019s apprentice, later also named a Living National Treasure<\/i>.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”4rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section el_class=”.grid-collection”][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2309″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2349″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2347″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2313″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2297″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2377″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2387″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2391″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2353″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2323″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”2329″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2351″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2355″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2305″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2303″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2383″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2385″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2273″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”2185″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”2389″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”2381″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1635415240768{padding-right: 2rem !important;padding-left: 2rem !important;}”][vc_column_text]\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
Chairs collected by Hamada from his travels.<\/h5>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”2371″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1635415240768{padding-right: 2rem !important;padding-left: 2rem !important;}”][vc_column_text]\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
Portrait of master potter Sh\u014dji Hamada (1894\u20131978)<\/h5>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”4rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section el_class=”.grid-collection”][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-4 vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Shoji Hamada Memorial & Sankokan Museum<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

\r\n<\/b>Our final destination was Hamada\u2019s former residence, now the Mashiko Sankokan Museum. Here, we learned that Hamada was not only a potter but also a thoughtful designer. In 1930, he restored a traditional compound\u2014relocating old Edo-era houses to Mashiko\u2014and curated an environment that now serves as both a living museum and a reference library of his life\u2019s journey.<\/p>\r\n

Each room displays his personal collection of furniture, tools, ceramics, and folk objects from his travels. The name \u201cSankokan\u201d (meaning \u201creference hall\u201d in Japanese)\u2076<\/strong> encapsulates his wish for future generations to draw inspiration, yet forge their own paths\u2014just as he did.<\/p>\r\n

Visitors can now walk through his thatched-roof house, officially opened to the public as a cultural site in 1989.<\/p>\r\n

As we walked back to the parking lot en route to the train station, I spotted a sign reading: \u201cSt. Ives 9,803 km.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the distance to his first kiln in England, shared with Bernard Leach,\u201d Mr. Aigun said, marking a poetic end to our journey.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

*<\/h1>\r\n
\u2076 Sankokan<\/strong> (\u53c2\u8003\u9928<\/span>) <\/strong>\u2013 From the Japanese word sank\u014d<\/i> (\u53c2\u8003<\/span>, \u201creference\u201d), reflecting Hamada\u2019s wish for the museum to inspire future artisans.<\/h5>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
——<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\r\n
Mashiko, October-2023\r\nWords: L\u1ed7 H\u1eefu \u0110\u1ee9c Anh<\/strong>\r\nPhotos: L\u1ed7 H\u1eefu \u0110\u1ee9c Anh, Hellos.<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n
<\/h6>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-10″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-8″][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][vc_single_image image=”2201″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][vc_single_image image=”2189″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][vc_single_image image=”2333″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
This marker honors Hamada\u2019s first kiln with friend Bernard Leach at St. Ives.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-1 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-2″][vc_single_image image=”892″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_single_image image=”1192″ img_size=”60×60″ alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
\n
\n\t\n \t
\t\n \t
\"\"<\/div>\n \t
\n \t

Four Women Designers in Dialogue with Ceramic Heritage<\/h4>\n \n\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t