Hamada Shoji was born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1894. In 1913, at the age of 19, he entered the Ceramics Department of the Tokyo Higher Technical School (now the Tokyo Institute of Technology) where he formed a friendship with senior student Kawai Kanjiro. In 1918 after visiting an exhibition, Yanagi Soetsu introduced him to the important British potter Bernard Leach, and the history of ceramic art was forever changed. The following year, he moved to England with Leach where he lived in St. Ives. After returning to Japan (1924), he spent time in Okinawa studying and appreciating the Tsuboya pottery of the island region. He then stayed with Kanjiro in Kyoto, where he, Yanagi, and Kanjiro established the principles of the Mingei movement.  Hamada then chose to establish his own kiln in the sleepy northern town of Mashiko.  He worked incessantly to further the Mingei ideals, using local clays and materials, and became mentor to any number of artist both domestic and from abroad.  He was named a Living National Treasure in 1955.  One of the most influential and sought after of all Japanese Ceramic artists. There is no shortage of reading material for those who would like to learn more about this potter.