Under the guidance of Master Potter and National Living Treasure Tatsuzo Shimaoka, Ken Matsuzaki has emerged as a leading figure in modern Japanese ceramics. Matsuzaki's work reflects the heritage of traditional Japanese folk pottery while showcasing the artist's creativity, intuition, and skill. Grounding his pieces in the Mingei pottery tradition, which emphasizes that the beauty of an object is found in its use, Matsuzaki has developed an individual style that honors tradition and builds on it in new directions. This volume, which includes an in-depth interview with the artist, an essay by Professor Andrew Maske, and full-color illustrations, will introduce the reader to both the history and the future of Japanese ceramics.