Special Exhibition 2012 "Experience Mashiko-yaki Pottery at Tokyo Institute of Technology"

[This article has been updated on October 26 to reflect the change of plans regarding the Hands-on Experience with Clay.]

Mashiko Town in Tochigi Prefecture, the home of Mashiko-yaki pottery, and Tokyo Tech have a long and intertwined history. Revered Tokyo Tech alumni, Kanjiro Kawai, Shoji Hamada and Tatsuzo Shimaoka, resided and potted in Mashiko. Visitors to the special exhibition will be able to get a taste of the daily life of people in Mashiko. The works of art of fifteen outstanding artists will be displayed and available for purchase. There will also be a hands-on activity involving clay for a limited number of participants. In addition, there will be lectures and a symposium on Mashiko-yaki and Mashiko Town during the exhibition.

The Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011 damaged the kilns of Shoji Hamada and Tatsuzo Shimaoka, as well as the studios and pottery works of many other artists. Daily life in Mashiko, the making, selling and using of pottery, was suddenly and severely altered. More than one thousand people in Mashiko are engaged in the pottery industry and they suffered a major setback both physically and economically. The town has been pulling together for recovery, but restoration efforts are still needed. It is the sincere hope of the Tokyo Tech community that this special exhibition will contribute to the industrial and cultural restoration of Mashiko.

Mashiko Tea Party

In the Cafe on the 1st Floor of Centennial Hall, drinks and cakes will be served in the Mashiko ware of the visitor's choice.

Exhibition Lectures (in Japanese)

Lecture on the history of Mashiko Town and Mashiko-yaki pottery by Mr. Yoshikazu Hirano (Chairman of the Tochigi Folk Craft Association, Honorary Director of the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art)

Lecture on renowned potters and Tokyo Tech graduates, Kanjiro Kawai, Shoji Hamada and Tatsuzo Shimaoka, by Mr. Naokuni Shiga (Chairman of the Tokyo Folk Craft Association, President of Ginza Takumi)

https://www.titech.ac.jp/event/news/detail_3212.html?id=event (in Japanese)

Exhibition Symposium on Monotsukuri (in Japanese)

Keynote Speeches:
        Mr. Tomoo Hamada, Director of the Shoji Hamada Memorial Mashiko Sankokan Museum
        Mr. Satoshi Yokobori, Assistant Director of the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art

Symposium Panel Members/Ceramic Artists Living in Mashiko:
        Mr. Tomoo Hamada
        Mr. Ken Matsuzaki
        Mr. Hiroshi Murata
        Mr. Harvey Young

Moderators:
        Mr. Satoshi Yokobori, Assistant Director of the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art
        Dr. Koichi Endo and Dr. Takayuki Ako, the Museum, Tokyo Institute of Technology

https://www.titech.ac.jp/event/news/detail_3213.html?id=event (in Japanese)

Hands-on Experience with Clay (in Japanese)

Experience hand building or wheel throwing at Tokyo Tech

*The "Hands-on Experience with Clay" activity will be held as scheduled on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28 from 2:00 pm on a first-come, first-served basis for ten participants. As seats for this activity are limited, registration is required and starts at 12:30 pm. If the number of interested people is large, a lottery might be held to select participants, because there is no place for safely queuing up to register. We thank you for your understanding.

Exhibition Brochure (in Japanese)

http://www.cent.titech.ac.jp/SpecialExhibitions_event/exhibits_specially/2012vol1Event/2012vol1Event.html