Shoji Hamada, Japanese Potter
Date
1967-06
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Abstract
Now 73 years old, Hamada is considered by many American potters, particularly those of the so-called "California School," to be out of date. Whether he is out of date or not, he was certainly an important influence on pottery as an art form in this country as well as in England. He and his friend and senior, Bernard Leach, the English potter, are still considered by many people to be the two foremost artist-potters in the world.
The material available on Hamada-or by Hamada--in English is meager. But such material as there is is scattered and I believe it serves a useful purpose to bring it together. This is not the kind of job that calls for originality. Hamada’s own writing I have quoted exactly as written, though often in a different topical sequence. The material of other writers, Bernard and Janet Leach, Soetsu Yanagi, Hugo Munsterberg and a few others I have paraphrased as well as quoted, but my sources are always acknowledged. My own opinions crop up here and there, particularly at the end. Where they appear, they are clearly identified as mine. Mr. Daniel Rhodes has made invaluable contributions out of his personal experience and knowledge. I would not have dared to tackle this subject if he had not offered to help.
Description
Thesis completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Fine Arts degree in the School of Art and Design at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY.
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Thesis
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MFA thesis, New York State College of Ceramics, Shoji Hamada, Japanese Potter, Studio Ceramics, Daniel Rhodes