Mashiko-yaki Spoon: Shippo

Mashiko, Japan, was home to the potter Shoji Hamada, a pioneer of Japan’s Mingei or folk arts movement. It was Shoji Hamada who also initiated Britain’s modern studio pottery movement, together with Bernard Leach. Today, there are over 300 potters working in a variety of styles in this small town just two hours north of Tokyo, not least Hamada’s grandson Tomoo.

Mashiko-yaki (Mashiko ware) is characterised by its rustic, hand-crafted style. Everyday objects are designed to be practical and without pretension, the ‘hand-crafted art of ordinary people’.

This lovely spoon has been handmade for us in Mashiko from local red clay, and has been delicately decorated by hand with the traditional Japanese shippo pattern. This pattern was originally Buddhist, and can be perceived as stars, or flower petals, depending on how you look at it!

Use for tea, sugar, coffee and spices.