Bottle with flowing-water design

Mingei

The Mingei movement—an influential exploration of Japanese folk crafts that began in the 1920s—promoted the rustic simplicity found in everyday ceramic vessels. Mingei potters, several of whom were based in Mashiko, north of Tokyo, made new works inspired by anonymous artisans from past centuries. This created an interesting paradox—key Mingei artists became renowned, and their ostensibly humble, everyday creations were appreciated as particularly fine works of studio craft.