As part of a week dedicated to the Mingei Movement, visitors to our Library can enjoy the special opportunity of watching two silent, short films by British artist-craftsman Bernard Leach, offering a rare glimpse into Japanese craftsmanship in 1934 through the lens of one of the most prominent figures in the craft world.

Bernard Leach, regarded as the father of British Studio Pottery, travelled to Japan and found himself drawn to pottery making. After returning to England, with the help of potter Hamada Shōji, Leach established his workshop in St Ives in 1920, gaining international acclaim for introducing new ideas through the influence of artists, craftsmen and thinkers in Japan that he had close relationships with.

These screenings take place in conjunction with the exhibition Art without Heroes: Mingei at the William Morris Gallery and complement the talk and screening events on 17 and 24 July at Japan House London.

Bernard Leach Films the Making of Kokeshi Dolls (1934) is a silent film that showcases the intricate process of turning and decorating wooden Kokeshi dolls in Naruko, Miyagi Prefecture. Bernard Leach’s keen eye for detail provides a captivating look at this timeless Japanese tradition.

Bernard Leach Films the Making of Tiles for the Game of Shōgi (1934) is a 3-minute silent film where Leach documents the meticulous cutting, carving, and painting of kanji characters on tiles used for the game of shōgi in Yamagata Prefecture. The film highlights the precision and skill involved in creating these game pieces.

These films are shown in collaboration with The Mingei Film Archive, an ongoing project by Marty Gross to locate, restore, and enhance films on the history of craftsmanship. The Archive comprises over 60 films from 1925 to 1976, covering pottery making, paper, woodcraft, and textiles in Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Many of these films required extensive repair and preservation before digitization. All the films are being enhanced with new audio commentaries from recordings made with craftspeople around the world.

Please check the Library page for any potential closures before planning your visit.