Shoji Hamada (Japanese, 1894-1978). Studio pottery hexagonal vase or brush washer in a checkered design with original wooden case marked by Hamada. Hamada was an important member of the mingei folk art movement, focusing on aesthetic as well as function in his ceramic creations. He was trained at Tokyo Technical College and became greatly inspired by the works of Bernard Leach, so much so that he traveled to St. Ives, United Kingdom with Leach and worked there for three years. Afterwards, he established his own studio in Mashiko, Japan. He was declared a "Living National Treasure" in 1955 and died on January 5, 1978. Keyword: Mingei, Wabi-sabi, Chawan. Brush washer; height: 4 in x diameter: 3 1/4 in. Box; height: 5 in x width: 4 1/4 in x depth: 4 1/4 in.