Mashiko, approximately 60 miles north of Tokyo is linked to the world famous potter, Shoji Hamada (1894-1978). Hamada was the Japanese designated Living Treasure, who promulgated the virtues of pottery folkcraft (mingei). Mashiko is famous for pottery wares that serve as the prime examples of mingei. Kimura, a Mashiko native started his studies in Kyoto, but transferred to study under Hamada from (1935-1947), where he was powerfully influenced by his instructor. After his apprenticeship he set up his own studio and kiln in Mashiko. Much like the other fellow apprentices that studied under Hamada, he went on to become a major Mashiko fixture, though his premature death short-circuited his fame in the pottery world. Kimura was not widely known outside of Japan, yet within Japanese circles he was a master potter from the Mashiko region. He had two important exhibits in Japan including one at the Tokyo National Museum (1964) and a full retrospective at the Mashiko Ceramic Art Mus