Tatsuzo Shimaoka

Tatsuzo Shimaoka (1919-2007) was a Japanese ceramic artist who was known for his mastery of the traditional Japanese pottery technique known as Mashiko-yaki. He was born in Tokyo, Japan and studied at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.
 
Shimaoka's pottery was heavily influenced by the work of the famous Japanese potter, Shoji Hamada, with whom he worked as an apprentice for over a decade. His work is characterized by its rustic, earthy appearance, which is achieved through the use of simple forms, natural materials, and traditional firing techniques.
 
Shimaoka's pottery has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and is held in many public and private collections. He was designated a Living National Treasure by the Japanese government in 1996 in recognition of his contributions to the field of ceramics. Shimaoka was known for his dedication to preserving traditional pottery techniques and passing them on to future generations of Japanese potters.