Square Bottle (tetsu-e kakubin)

This square bottle by Hamada Shôji was created at his celebrated studio in the pottery town of Mashiko, just north of Tokyo. Despite the modesty of its size and technique, this hand-decorated work is finely articulated in shape, color, and form. It exhibits the philosophical and expressive ideals of the Japanese folk art movement known as mingei, which sought to draw attention to the beauty in utilitarian objects made by artisans in Japan. One of the most important Japanese ceramists of the 20th century, Hamada enjoyed an international following and a successful career as an exhibitor and lecturer abroad. A forceful proponent of simple, functional wares produced by traditional methods, Hamada had a profound influence on the styles of Scandinavian, British, European, and American potters.