We are so delighted to welcome a beautiful collection by Hamadagama, a pottery studio right here in our neighborhood in Mashiko. Through UGUISU, we’re excited to introduce their work and make it available to customers around the world.
Founded in 1931 by renowned ceramic artist Shoji Hamada, Hamadagama has carried on Mashiko’s rich pottery traditions for generations. Beautifully handcrafted by skilled artisans using locally sourced Mashiko clay and traditional glazes, each piece brings together generations of craftsmanship and a thoughtful approach to everyday living, bringing warmth and character to daily life.
View the collection now, or continue reading to learn more about Hamadagama.
“I found my path in Kyoto, began in England, learned in Okinawa, and grew in Mashiko.”
When Shoji Hamada chose Mashiko as the place where he would devote his life to pottery, even his close friend Kanjiro Kawai is said to have opposed the decision. Having returned to Japan after working with Bernard Leach in England, Hamada had quickly become one of the most celebrated figures in the Japanese ceramics world. Many believed that a major ceramic center such as Kyoto would be a more fitting place for an artist of his stature.
Yet Mashiko, then little known beyond the region, was precisely what appealed to Hamada. He believed that beauty could be found not only in objects made for appreciation, but also in things made for everyday use. He saw himself not simply as a ceramic artist, but as a craftsman devoted to making pottery. Using the local clay and glazes of Mashiko, he created practical, robust vessels full of vitality.
Hamada later described his journey in these words: “I found my path in Kyoto, began in England, learned in Okinawa, and grew in Mashiko.” Alongside Soetsu Yanagi and Kanjiro Kawai, he also helped advance the Mingei (Japanese Folk Crafts) Movement, bringing international recognition to Mashiko as one of Japan's leading pottery centers.
Hamadagama was later inherited by his second son, Shinsaku, who carried on his father's traditions while developing his own approach to pottery. Today, the studio is led by Shinsaku's son, Tomoo Hamada, who works alongside his daughter Chiharu and a dedicated team of craftspeople. Together, they continue the Hamada family tradition while exploring new possibilities for Mashiko pottery.
Hamadagama’s pottery is made by skilled craftspeople whose techniques have been honed and passed down through generations since the time of Shoji Hamada. Traditional methods and materials remain at the heart of the studio’s work, including the climbing kiln (noborigama), traditional kick wheel, and time-honored glazes. By continuing to work with these methods while adapting them to contemporary life, Hamadagama keeps the spirit of Mashiko pottery alive.
Explore Hamadagama Pottery - we ship worldwide directly from Mashiko, Japan
