Shimaoka Tatsuzo

Shimoaka was a Japanese mingei potter who studied under Hamada Shoji and later became the second Living National Treasure of Mashiko, Japan. He was best known for his unique Jōmon zogan style of pottery, and was a master of many slip decorating and firing techniques for pottery. Throughout his career, Shimaoka worked collaboratively with a group of workers, students, and apprentices from Japan and abroad. He is one of a few Japanese potters that has made the popular breakthrough in the west, and his work is easily recognised and much sought after.