One of the most recognized names in 20th-century studio ceramics, both in Japan and worldwide, Shoji Hamada was renowned for his approach to creating functional, utilitarian wares. After spending several years researching glazing techniques in Kyoto with fellow potter Kawai Kanjirō (1890–1966), Hamada was invited to England by the famous potter and ceramic educator Bernard Leach in 1920. In St Ives, Leach and Hamada worked closely with local materials, developing glazes and new techniques using the local clay. After several setbacks in building their kiln, they enlisted the help of master kiln builder Matsubayashi Tsurunosuke, who helped them construct the first Japanese-style climbing kiln in the West.
Hamada's creativity was widely appreciated, and in his first two exhibitions in London, held in 1923, he showcased techniques developed in St Ives, drawing inspiration from traditional Korean forms and Chinese Ts’u-chou ware. Upon returning to Japan, Hamada traveled extensively, further developing his practice until, in the late 1920s, he settled in Mashiko and established his own studio.
Hamada's work, with its fluid brushstrokes and distinctive glazes, gained international recognition, culminating in his designation as a Living National Treasure in 1955. A key figure in the Mingei (Japanese folk arts) movement of the 1960s, his influence on the ceramic community continues to be strongly felt today.