Hanjirô Mizuno
Japanese, b. 1926
Hanjirô Mizuno was a Japanese ceramicist. He studied law in Tokyo, but in 1945 he returned to his hometown of Seto in response to the demand for daily utensils after the end of World War II. From around 1955, however, the materials used to manufacture daily utensils began to shift from ceramic and lacquerware to aluminum and plastic. In this time of transition and uncertainty, Hanjiro found comfort in the philosophy of mingei, or Japanese folk art, which had interested him during his student years. After he became friends with some of the mingei movement’s members in the spring of 1958, Hanjiro began to shift his creative output from large bowls and jars to everyday utensils such as rice bowls and plates. At the same time, he renewed his resolve to continue the tradition of Seto pottery.
Japanese, b. 1926
Hanjirô Mizuno was a Japanese ceramicist. He studied law in Tokyo, but in 1945 he returned to his hometown of Seto in response to the demand for daily utensils after the end of World War II. From around 1955, however, the materials used to manufacture daily utensils began to shift from ceramic and lacquerware to aluminum and plastic. In this time of transition and uncertainty, Hanjiro found comfort in the philosophy of mingei, or Japanese folk art, which had interested him during his student years. After he became friends with some of the mingei movement’s members in the spring of 1958, Hanjiro began to shift his creative output from large bowls and jars to everyday utensils such as rice bowls and plates. At the same time, he renewed his resolve to continue the tradition of Seto pottery.
Artist Objects
Chawan (tea bowl) C.76.172
