Shimaoka Tatsuzō (Japanese, 1919–2007) was a celebrated ceramicist and a key figure in Japan’s post-war Mingei (folk craft) movement. A student of the renowned potter Hamada Shōji, Shimaoka carried forward the ideals of handmade, utilitarian beauty rooted in local tradition. He graduated from Tokyo Institute of Technology before settling in Mashiko, where he established his kiln and developed his distinctive style.
Best known for his “Jōmon zōgan” technique—combining rope-impressed patterns with white slip inlay—Shimaoka’s work bridges ancient Japanese pottery traditions with a modern sensibility. His vessels often retain a quiet rusticity, textured with tactile detail yet harmoniously balanced in form and function.
In 1996, he was designated a Living National Treasure of Japan, a recognition of his contribution to cultural preservation and innovation in ceramics. Shimaoka’s legacy endures in his reverence for tradition, his technical mastery, and his commitment to the everyday beauty of craft.