Shoji Hamada Memorial Mashiko Sankokan Museum

This museum utilizes the preserved home of Shoji Hamada, a legend who spread Mashiko ware around the world. In the spacious garden are 5 buildings including the oya-stone warehouse, a thatched roof house, and a climbing kiln. Each building features various exhibits in different environments.

Shoji Hamada was a living national treasure (part of an intangible cultural heritage) who moved to Mashiko and worked as a potter. He was the pioneer of the Mingei movement, worked alongside Yanagi Soetsu, and supported the movement.

In the Mashiko Sankokan Museum, visitors can see various pottery collected by Hamada himself on his trips to the UK, Okinawa, China, Korea, Taiwan, the Pacific islands, Europe, South America and more. He was inspired and delighted by his collections. The name “Sankokan”refers to the Japanese word for “Reference”. The museum aims to have these collections as a source of reference for visitors. The permanent exhibit features Hamada’s works and collections. Visitors can also see his friends’ works such as Bernard Leach and Kanjiro Kawai. Special exhibits open twice a year.

The fourth pavilion has a Windsor chair collected by Hamada. Visitors can sit and relax.