26287 Living National Treasure Tatsuzo Shimaoka Inlaid Teacup ②

Height: 8.8 cm
Diameter: 7.7 cm

Born in Tokyo in 1919, the eldest son of Kumihimo artisan Yonekichi Shimaoka. After graduating from the ceramics department at Tokyo Institute of Technology, serving in the military, and returning home, at the age of 27 he became an apprentice to Shoji Hamada in Mashiko.

Tatsuichi Shimaoka became independent at age 35, and until his death at age 88 in 2007, he created numerous works in the Mingei (folk craft) tradition, utilizing his unique "Jomon Inlay" technique.

When employing the Jomon technique, he initially used kumihimo braids made by his father, Yonekichi. This suggests that the ideas for his work originated from the environment in which Tatsuzo was raised.
In 1996, Tatsuzo Shimaoka was designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property).

He was one of Japan's leading potters, who regarded Shoji Hamada as his lifelong mentor and established the Jomon Inlay technique, which applied the kumihimo braids made by his father. He actively held solo exhibitions and gave lectures overseas, spreading Mingei pottery worldwide.