Tatsuzo Shimaoka

Tatsuzo Shimaoka (1919-2007) was a great ceramic artist who's work was at the same time innovative and grounded in tradition. His most noticeable technique is the combined use of rope impressions (similar to Jomon period pottery) with slip inlaid into the recessed surface (similar to mishima or zogan, the Korean technique) to decorate his wares. Shimaoka was inspired to use the rope because his father had been a silk cord artisan. His work was certainly not limited to one style, however.

Shimaoka apprenticed under Shoji Hamada from 1946 to 1949, and he was designated a Japanese living national treasure in 1996.