Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Ginza Wako glass bowl with clock

In Art Glass > Japanese Art Glass > Show & Tell.
Japanese Glass102 of 531Hoya Crystal faceted vasesIwata lamp Japan
29
Love it
0
Like it

NewfldNewfld loves this.
LeelaniLeelani loves this.
sherrilousherrilou loves this.
Drake47Drake47 loves this.
ReiseReise loves this.
GianaMZGianaMZ loves this.
vcalvcal loves this.
MALKEYMALKEY loves this.
TreyTrey loves this.
jbingham95jbingham95 loves this.
shareurpassionshareurpassion loves this.
SEAN68SEAN68 loves this.
PhilDMorrisPhilDMorris loves this.
Peasejean55Peasejean55 loves this.
MrstyndallMrstyndall loves this.
elanskielanski loves this.
truthordaretruthordare loves this.
IronLaceIronLace loves this.
sklo42sklo42 loves this.
Vynil33rpmVynil33rpm loves this.
auraaura loves this.
kyratangokyratango loves this.
kwqdkwqd loves this.
WatchsearcherWatchsearcher loves this.
AdeleCAdeleC loves this.
IvonneIvonne loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
blunderbuss2blunderbuss2 loves this.
fortapachefortapache loves this.
See 27 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 5 years ago

    racer4four
    (586 items)

    Ginza is a suburb of Tokyo that is famous for it's up market retail stores. It is home to a number of luxury department stores like Mitsukoshi and Matsuya, but I think the best known store is Wako.
    Wako was originally established in 1881 as a watch and jewellery store by Kintaro Hattori, and in 1932 Hattori built a beautiful building in Ginza for his shop. The building was designed by Jin Watanabe and is made in an art deco style with a granite facade and curving front. It sits on a corner of Ginza and has an easily recognisable clock tower as it's main feature. Fortunately the building survived bombing in WWII and it is the oldest retail shop in Ginza district.
    Wako has a number of branches but Ginza is it's most prestigious. It primarily sells jewellery, watches, porcelain, glass, and fashion accessories, and all are curated to be of the highest quality. Naturally, this is not a cheap store.
    When I visited Wako in 2019 I spent quite a while looking around. Even in my daggy traveling clothes,clearly not a person of wealth, I was treated with the utmost respect. I did buy a small piece of Satsuma Kiriko there, possibly one of the cheapest things in the shop, but beautiful and desirable. I was seated at a desk with a piece of velvet laid down, and two seemingly identical glasses were placed in front of me. I was given a choice which glass to buy, and it was a very serious business picking up each glass and using a loupe to check the hand made cuts to determine which I preferred. The purchase was an absolute ceremony, and an event that increased my buying pleasure.

    This bowl is not something I bought at Wako but is a Wako piece I bought second hand. It is a beautiful little glass bowl with a bird perching on the edge, and in that very Japanese way, has a clock attached. I guess it's for a desk, something to store paper clips or similar. Maybe it's just a flower or sweets bowl for a credenza. Like a lot of Wako glass is has no maker's signature or sticker and needs to be identified by attribution.
    I am almost certain this is by Multi Glass. Multi have had a long association with Wako, and the style of bowl and bird are very much in their manner.
    Like anything from Wako, it has beauty and quality.

    logo
    Japanese Art Glass
    See all
    Hand Cut To Clear Blue 9oz Edo Kiriko Crystal Whiskey Glasses Gift Packing 1pc
    Hand Cut To Clear Blue 9oz Edo Kiri...
    $62
    Hand Cut Edo Kiriko Glasses Drinking Glass 9 Ounces Amber Blue Whiskey Cup Gift
    Hand Cut Edo Kiriko Glasses Drinkin...
    $53
    Crystal Edo Kiriko Dark Blue Whisky Glasses Tumbler Handmade Drinking Glass 12oz
    Crystal Edo Kiriko Dark Blue Whisky...
    $48
    Edo Kiriko Drinking Glass Old Fashioned Crystal Whisky Cup For Bourbon 9oz Black
    Edo Kiriko Drinking Glass Old Fashi...
    $44
    logo
    Hand Cut To Clear Blue 9oz Edo Kiriko Crystal Whiskey Glasses Gift Packing 1pc
    Hand Cut To Clear Blue 9oz Edo Kiri...
    $62
    See all

    Comments

    1. Newfld Newfld, 5 years ago
      Absolutely adore this bowl Karen, it has so much going for it to love, my fave of course being the bird perched on the edge, and that gorgeous green swirl glass
    2. Watchsearcher Watchsearcher, 5 years ago
      I thought the clock being attached to the bowl was peculiar until I saw the building with it’s clock...then it made sense.
      Lovely story of your travel experience at the store!!
    3. Mrstyndall Mrstyndall, 5 years ago
      What an interesting bowl, have not seen one like this with a clock attached. The little birdie is a cutie!
    4. racer4four racer4four, 5 years ago
      Hey thanks Jenni!
      It is a sweet bowl and who doesn't love a birdie!!
    5. racer4four racer4four, 5 years ago
      It may interest you Watchsearcher that Seiko has had a long association with Wako. They took over Hattori's wholesale business (in the late 30s I think) and the retail section of Wako was split off to make a separate company. They still sell a lot of Seiko and the clock on the building is a special Seiko piece, can't remember why sorry.
      Clocks are a huge deal in Japan, and I have lots of glass pieces with clocks attached :))
      Thanks for the interest.
    6. racer4four racer4four, 5 years ago
      The bird is a cutie indeed MrsT, so glad you loved it.
      Thanks!
    7. sklo42 sklo42, 5 years ago
      I love the bowl as glass. Karen, but I love it more for the sheer fun of it. If it were on my desk I'd arrive and wonder.....what is that clock watching bird thinking today!
    8. racer4four racer4four, 5 years ago
      Nice thought Peggy! I think it is a strange marriage, the bowl the bird the clock. You are correct however because that bird looks very floofy and thoughtful as it ponders the time and life.
      The bird is now named Peggy as I will always think of you when I see it's contemplation.
    9. sklo42 sklo42, 5 years ago
      I thought it was pondering how much time it had left to laze about before it has to fly the bowl and go hunting for worms for the family.............

      Seriously, it's interesting to get a glimpse into another culture. To see what is considered a work of art, and just as much, to learn how it would be sold.

      And just don't be knocking Peggy off her perch!
    10. racer4four racer4four, 5 years ago
      Indeed.
      Great thoughts Peggy.
    11. PhilDMorris PhilDMorris, 5 years ago
      Love the clock and the bird making it so beautiful and has a use not associated normally with glass. You're discerning eye has helped you greatly in your quest for Japanese glass. The experience you had at that "oh so beautiful" store really was something you will remember the rest of your life, congratulations !~
    12. racer4four racer4four, 5 years ago
      Phil I have learnt so much in my Japanese glass collecting journey, and the more I know the more I realise I don’t know.
      Like any collector I am always looking and am fortunate when beautiful and quirky glass turns up. This was one of the pieces that I happened across and had to have!

      My experiences in Japan were wonderful and the Wako purchase was such a very a Japanese event. I will go back as soon as I can manage.
      Thanks for your thoughts, I always appreciate them.
    13. SEAN68 SEAN68, 5 years ago
      very unique bowl with clock!!
    14. racer4four racer4four, 5 years ago
      Ta Sean!
    15. SEAN68 SEAN68, 5 years ago
      your welcome Karen!!
    16. shareurpassion shareurpassion, 5 years ago
      Such a pretty piece. I bet that buying experience is something you'll always remember! I'd also bet you had a blast the whole time you were there!

      There's a place here in the states that's like that and a friend of mine and I walked in, he wanted his watch checked out. LOL!!! They had the armed guard follow us around!!! That friend of mine has a grip of tattoos, so... it was pretty amusing and the place we were in was one of the finest, especially the glass staircase and the amazing chandeliers! That was over 10 years ago but still funny to me!
    17. racer4four racer4four, 5 years ago
      I always look like what I am, a dag, so most shops look at me like I'm just wasting their time, and they are right :))
      I love the idea of a a bad looking bro and sis swanning down a glass staircase!
    18. Trey Trey, 4 years ago
      Beautiful Green :)
    19. racer4four racer4four, 4 years ago
      Thanks Trey!
      How's your gorgeous fam?
    20. Trey Trey, 4 years ago
      We are great :) everyone is happy and healthy :) I hope you are the same :)

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.