Presents a dialogue between two artists, Shoji Hamada and Bernard Leach. The text explores the aesthetics, techniques and unique lifestyle of one of the 20th century's influential craftsmen.
Bernard Howell Leach, CH, CBE (5 January 1887 – 6 May 1979), was a British studio potter and art teacher. He is regarded as the "Father of British studio pottery".
I had no idea what I was getting into when I got this book. I'm currently at a place where I am consuming all the information about Hamada, Leach and Yanagi (as well as mingei) This book essentially is a ongoing dialogue between Leach and Hamada and is pleasently layered in an practical approach to mingei and art appreciation as well some personal letters that are actually quite wholesome. Hamadas words in these pages seem to have such honesty and fondness of many things and I think is definitely a must read for potters and art critics. It also gives a very "in" when reading Yanagi. Really pleasant book and very fun to read.
In my book, Hamada is as great as a ceramicist gets. No form is overworked, no glaze is mishandled. This is a document of one of the 20th century's greatest masters of form.