Mashiko
Mashiko is a town in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, located in the Kantō region. It is renowned for Mashiko ware, a form of folk pottery produced by numerous kilns and studios across the town. The modern Mashiko pottery movement began in the early 20th century when Shoji Hamada, a leading figure in the Mingei movement, settled there and helped revive traditional techniques. Hamada’s work and philosophy emphasized simple forms, natural glaze finishes, and the use of local clay, and he was later designated a Living National Treasure. Today, dozens of potteries operate in Mashiko, ranging from small studios to larger workshops, sustaining the town as a center for ceramics craft and education.
Cultural institutions include the Mashiko Sankokan Museum, which preserves Hamada's works and documents the history of
Governance-wise, Mashiko is a town with a mayor-council government within Tochigi Prefecture. Its economy relies on