Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A short walkthrough of Yoji Yamada's first major exhibition in the UK, presented by Max Waterhouse.
YOJI YAMADA COLLECTION: goldmarkart.com/collections/yoji-yamada
After becoming transfixed by a poster for an English slipware exhibition in Japan, the young Yamada decided to travel to England to study ceramics. One of the few British potters offering an apprenticeship was Lisa Hammond MBE and Yamada was fortunate enough to win a place with this inspirational mentor.
After finishing the apprenticeship, Yamada moved back to Japan and worked for several years making production ware for a small company before setting up his own pottery in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture. He now shows his work in Japan and internationally in China, Canada and Europe.
Central to Yamada’s practice is the yakishime slipware technique. Yakishime, which originated in Japan at the end of the 12th century, involves high-temperature firing (above 1200°C) without glaze. This process vitrifies the clay, resulting in extremely hard pottery. Natural glazing occurs from the ash deposits during firing.
A short walkthrough of Yoji Yamada's first major exhibition in the UK, presented by Max Waterhouse.
YOJI YAMADA COLLECTION: goldmarkart.com/collections/yoji-yamada
After becoming transfixed by a poster for an English slipware exhibition in Japan, the young Yamada decided to travel to England to study ceramics. One of the few British potters offering an apprenticeship was Lisa Hammond MBE and Yamada was fortunate enough to win a place with this inspirational mentor.
After finishing the apprenticeship, Yamada moved back to Japan and worked for several years making production ware for a small company before setting up his own pottery in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture. He now shows his work in Japan and internationally in China, Canada and Europe.
Central to Yamada’s practice is the yakishime slipware technique. Yakishime, which originated in Japan at the end of the 12th century, involves high-temperature firing (above 1200°C) without glaze. This process vitrifies the clay, resulting in extremely hard pottery. Natural glazing occurs from the ash deposits during firing.
