Vase c. 20th century

ceramic

egg art

product fashion photography

ceramic

jewelry design

vase

japan

culinary art

food illustration

stoneware

wash background

ceramic

watercolour illustration

food photography

This rounded stoneware vase, titled "Vase," was crafted by renowned Japanese potter Hamada Shōji (1894-1978) sometime in the 20th century. The piece features a distinct earthy brown glaze with a circular, multi-colored floral design in relief. Hamada was a central figure in the Mingei movement, which championed the use of traditional crafts and techniques in a modern context. His works often embody the aesthetic principles of Mingei, prioritizing functionality and simplicity over elaborate decoration. This vase, housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, exemplifies Hamada's unique approach to pottery, showcasing a balance of natural beauty and subtle ornamentation.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Mingei The term mingei, which translates to “folk crafts,” was coined in the 1920s by philosopher and art critic Yanagi Sōetsu (1889–1961). Yanagi, along with potters Tomimoto Kenkichi, Kawai Kanjirō, and Bernard Leach, promoted the reevaluation of crafts, including but not limited to textile, pottery, woodwork, lacquerware, metalwork, and basketry, especially those that had fallen outside of the category of fine arts. In the face of rapid industrialization, the preservation of traditional handmade crafts gained urgency. Yanagi set several conditions for what qualified as mingei. The object had to be practical, made by unnamed artists, created by hand, have regional characteristics, and be affordable.