For over 100 years, the Leach Pottery has been part of the creative heart of St Ives. Founded in 1920 by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, the pottery became the birthplace of British studio pottery and helped shape the way ceramics are made and understood across the world. But the Leach Pottery has always been... Continue Reading →
Thank you for all your support in 2025!
Perhaps you know the quote from Bernard Leach, โThe pot is the man: ย his virtues and his vices are shown therein โ no disguise is possible".ย He writes of how the maker is inherently in the pots they throw. When reflecting on the year past, the same is true. Weโre a pottery that makes pots, but... Continue Reading →
The Hidden Twin Daughters
100 years ago today (28 August 2020), the youngest of Bernard and Muriel Leach's children were born. Twins Jessamine and Betty made their appearance only 4 days after the Leach family relocated to England after a long boat trip from Japan. Below is an account of their lives written by Jessamine's son, David Kendall, along... Continue Reading →
A Voyage from East to West: Leach and Hamadaโs Journey to England, June 1920
Author: Rachel Viney, Historical Story Researcher at the Leach Pottery Past and present meet โ in some surprising ways โ in this account of the sea voyage that brought Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada to Britain 100 years ago In June 1920, the cargo-passenger steamer NYK Kamo Maru set sail from the Japanese port of... Continue Reading →
