Posted 10 years ago
racer4four
(586 items)
I have a number of Kitaichi pieces of glass, all very different, all produced at their studios in Otaru, Hokkaido.
The first vase is moulded in green glass with a blue glass casing. Both the base and lip have been hot finished. I love the shape and colour of this vase - the shape is like Japanese architecture and the colours very oceanic. Height 20cm (8in)
The second vase is actually a sake flask. Made in what the Japanese call green tea style, with colours graduating from a beautiful blue, through green then to the brown of the added neck. The green occurs from the inserted brown neck colouring the blue body. The body reminds me so much of a fishing float it is a delight! Like a float the pontil scar remains. Height 17cm (6.5in)
The Kitaichi Glass company was established as the Asahara Glass company in 1901, and was initially involved in making oil lamps and other fishing equipment. Fishing was the main industry in Otaru, on the northern most island of Japan, Hokkaido, but the industry declined in the second half of last century. Asahara suffered and moved into lighting manufacture however with the development of the Otaru Canal the company owners recognised the market available in the tourist trade.
The name was changed to Kitaichi Glass in the 80s at the time the company started developing it's art glass industry. Successfully too. The company (still headed by the Asahara family) now employs over 250 people in a number of glass studios, retail shops, cafes and it's museum.
They make a wide range of glass, from blown and moulded items like these two, to beautiful cameo glass with a very Japanese style.
The Japanese glass industry is interesting and surprising. I am often amazed at how old these companies are and how successfully many of them have remained in business to this day.
Love the colours. Favourite is definitely the vase, gorgeous design.
I have to agree, although I have developed a bit of a Japanese way of looking at thingo so the sake flask kicks me too. You Euro dwellers wouldn't get it!
I too prefer the flask....for its flowing shape and gradual colour change. So that's one, so far, amongst us 853 million Euro dwellers.....only 507 million if you meant the European Union.... who won't get it :-)
Lovely colors... Love the sake vessel... :)
Beautiful glass! Great photos!
wow!!!! bigtime beautiful!!!
I love them both, especially the sake flask!
Sorry if I cast aspersions on Euro dwellers - taste is personal wherever we live!
(I'm just bagging William really...)
I think it's great that the sake flask got an overwhelming vote.
Thanks Cindy, Peggy, Fluffy, Pops, Sean and Scott!
I toast you all with sake......
I was teasing too, Karen!!!
I'm often accused of taking things literally! The times I think people are joking they sometimes aren't. ..........ah well, we all have our afflictions.
Wonderful!
Racer4four I understand what you mean, that sometimes happens to me to, I love you 'toast you all with sake', first I read it toast as being fried and in instead of with (I toast you all in sake), I thought you were pretty mad (angry)...my language barriers can make things really quite interesting :) :)
Lol Elisabeth! Thanks :)))
never seen anything like the 6 tangonal ones? is that what you cal it? And to match in with that other one, youve done so well here...
Hexagon Anne?
Cool hey!! Thanks.
I'm speechless! Can you imagine that? Besides both of these amazing pieces, what I'm surprised at is how much glass has actually made it thru so many years undamaged. It's awesome. When you have a great product, that's simply staying power, right?!
You're right Sue!
Doing something right!
Thanks
Beautiful pieces !! Really love the saki glass ;-)
Domo arigatou surfdub!
Beautiful color
Thanks Trey.
Love the blue!
Here's looking at you Vintagelamp!
Great post. Thanks for teaching me, a little, about the wonderful world of Japanese glass.
Fran I'm so glad to hear you here again. I hope all is well.
I know that not all Japanese glass appeals to us Westies but they are clever and creative in their own way and I think I should indoctrinate everyone! lol. Thanks.
Thanks Cindy - light really gives glass life and this flask really becomes something lovely !
The sake flask is killer.
Agreed, and thanks Amphora
Lovely comment Eileen and so relevant because Kitaichi Glass was founded on fishing floats and are right next to the port of Otaru. The sea theme is so there!
Thanks :)