Film reels (black-and-white silent; 1200 feet, 16mm)
Type:
Archival materials
Film reels
Date:
1934-1935
Scope and Contents:
Footage, shot during Leach's travels in the Far East, includes filming in Mashiko village, Japan which documents the work of potter Shoji Hamada and ceramic painter Masu Minagawa, both central figures in Japan's Folk Craft Movement. Pottery footage includes: general overview of the Hamada compound including laborers, clay settling tanks, and kiln; Hamada at his te-rokuro (stick-turned wheel); throwing several large jars by the punch-out, coil, and throw methods; firing of the nobori-gama (multi-chambered climbing kiln); kiln in various stages of unloading; and Minagawa painting teapots. Other Japanese crafts documented include weaving, stencil dyeing, papermaking, and use of the treadle lathe to make kokeshi dolls. Scenes of Japanese life include: koi nobori (carp penants) indicating the celebration of Boy's Day, May 5th; demonstration of ninjutsu techniques; one-man puppet performances known as kuruma ningyo (cart-doll) accompanied by joruri chanters; winter travel scenes; and drummers at a village festival. Also included are various scenes in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Korea including a visit to the ancient Korean capital of Kyongju, a temple market, and the image of Buddha at Sokkuram Temple. The film MASHIKO VILLAGE POTTERY by Marty Gross was produced using this footage.
Legacy Keywords: Language and culture ; Pottery Japan ; Pottery Japanese ; Ceramics Japan ; Ceramics Japanese ; Firing (Ceramics) ; Weaving g ; Dollmaking ; Dyes and dyeing ; Papermaking ; Puppets ; Drumming ; Marketplaces ; Temples
Local Number:
HSFA 1986.6.2
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Please contact the archives for information on availability of access copies of audiovisual recordings. Original audiovisual material in the Human Studies Film Archives may not be played.
Collection Rights:
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Collection Citation:
Bernard Leach films, Human Studies Film Archives, Smithsonian Institution
