Shoji Hamada (濱田庄司), Japanese, 1894-1978

A Kakuyō Glazed Square Flower Vase (掛合釉角花生)

Taisho Era (1912-1926) or Showa Era (1926-1989) 

About the work

An iconic square-form flower vase by Hamada Shōji, a revered figure in 20th-century Japanese ceramics and a designated Living National Treasure. Crafted in a bold geometric shape with soft tapering edges, this kakuyō (layered glaze) piece features a rich layering of earthy brown, deep black, and subtle green hues that cascade naturally down the vessel’s faceted sides. The interplay of glazes is both spontaneous and deliberate, capturing the essence of Hamada’s mingei (folk craft) philosophy.

Its strong, architectural form contrasts beautifully with the organic movement of the glaze, creating a work that feels both grounded and alive. Accompanied by the original tomobako (wooden box), inscribed by the artist.

Dimensions

19.8cm(h) x 10cm(w) x 10cm(d)

Footnote

Shoji Hamada was a leading figure in the Mingei folk craft movement, which sought to preserve traditional craft techniques and elevate their status as high art. Born in 1894, Hamada studied under Itaya Hazan at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and learned kiln techniques at the Kyoto Ceramic Research Institute. He was a lifelong friend of Kanjiro Kawai and collaborated with Bernard Leach, with whom he worked in both Japan and England. Hamada's dedication to ceramics earned him the designation of Living National Treasure in 1955, and he received the Order of Culture in 1968, cementing his legacy as one of Japan's most revered ceramists.