A Life Etched in Clay: The World of Miyangawa Masu The name Miyangawa Masu, often appearing alongside that of Minagawa Masu, evokes a quiet corner of 19th-century Japan—the pottery town of Mashiko. Born in 1874, her life unfolded against the backdrop of the Meiji Restoration, a period of rapid modernization and cultural shift. While grand narratives of industrialization often dominate accounts of this era, Masu’s story offers an intimate glimpse into the enduring power of tradition and the subtle artistry that flourished within it. She wasn't a painter on canvas, but a decorator of clay, her…