Height 18.0cm
Each side 8.5cm
Born in Tokyo in 1919 as the eldest son of Kumihimo master Yonekichi Shimaoka. After graduating from the Ceramics Department of the Tokyo Institute of Technology, he joined the army and was demobilized. At the age of 27, he became a disciple of Shoji Hamada in Mashiko.
Tatsuzo Shimaoka was an artist who created many works in the field of folk art using his unique technique of "Jomon inlay" from the time he became independent at the age of 35 until his death at the age of 88 in 2007.
When using Jomon techniques, he initially used braids made by his father, Yoneyoshi, so it can be imagined that the idea was born from the environment in which Tatsuzo was born.
1996 Tatsuzo Shimaoka was certified as a nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder (Living National Treasure).
Considering Shoji Hamada as his lifelong mentor, he is one of Japan's leading ceramic artists who established the Jomon inlay technique using the braids made by his father.
He actively holds solo exhibitions and lectures overseas as well, spreading folk art pottery to the world.