Sakuma Totaro (1900~1979). A large stoneware dish, signed tomobako.

The original wood storage box (tomobako) lid is inscribed in ink "Mashiko decorative dish with plum in iron oxide", the signature of the potter with his red seal.

First son of Sakuma Fukujiro, a mingei potter in Mashiko, Totaro studied ceramics with his father. The potter met Hamada Shoji who visited Mashiko in 1924 when Hamada lived at the Sakuma household. Totaro was fascinated with Hamada's knowledge of ceramics and his attitude towards pottery and he worked with Hamada in the Sakuma pottery studio at Mashiko for two months. Totaro had an acquaintance with Bernard Leach and Kawai Kanjiro through Hamada, also Tomimoto Kenkichi, Shiko Munakata, Kanjiro Kawai and Mingei’s own author Soetsu Yanagi. Totaro was instrumental in the creation of the Mingei movement at Mashiko.

There is a fine biography and appraisal of Sakuma Totaro by Robert Yellin for the Japan Times June 24th, 2000. www.e-yakimono.net/html/sakuma-totaro-jt.html

Approximately 28.7cm diameter. Perfect condition. The lid of the tomobako has warped slightly with age.

The stand is not included.

Please study the photographs.

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