【Eki-Ryu-Ha-Ri】Japanese Glass Guinomi& Katakuchi

The Fusion of Japanese Sensibilities and Next-Generation Glass ArtistsIntroducing "Eki-Ryu-Hari," a Sake Cup & Katakuchi (Spouted Bowl) Created by Kinya Yoshida, a Promising Next-Generation Glass Artist Leading the Future of Japanese Glass Art.

Yoshida's work reflects the essence of "ma," a uniquely Japanese sensibility he holds dear, resulting in an entirely new type of glass sake cup, now available at a special price.

Each piece is one-of-a-kind, making it perfect for daily use, special occasions, or as a gift. Its design enhances the enjoyment of your drink, making each moment feel more special.

The sake cups are designed to fit comfortably in your hand, with colored sections thoughtfully placed for easy handling. Not only can you enjoy sake or whiskey with your senses of touch, smell, and sight, but these cups can also be used for dipping sauces.

The Glass Craftsman Yoshida Saw in childhood

Kenya Yoshida's interest in glass art began after watching a certain TV program. In Japan, the show is renowned for featuring professionals with exceptional skills and knowledge in specific fields, competing against one another. Yoshida happened to watch an episode where glass craftsmen were competing. He was fascinated by the glassmaking techniques he had never seen before, which inspired him to become a glass artist.

Afterward, he majored in art in high school and then went to study at Tama Art University in Tokyo. He immersed himself in glassmaking, deepening his understanding of glass at various academies, and eventually enrolled in the graduate program at Tokyo University of the Arts, Japan's premier art academy. Throughout his journey, he has engaged in numerous creative activities.

However, the deep source of his craftsmanship lies in one of the three great festivals of Tohoku, the Aomori Nebuta Festival, in his hometown of Aomori.

The Origin of his spirit : The Nebuta Festival

The Nebuta Festival, held every August in Aomori City, features vividly colored nebuta (large floats adorned with warrior paintings) parading through the streets, attracting many tourists. In 2004, the festival was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan for its historical background and unique culture. In recent years, it has been featured in many media outlets worldwide as an event symbolizing Japanese traditional culture, drawing the attention of numerous inbound tourists.

Yoshida's mother worked as a guide for the Nebuta Festival for many years, so he naturally grew up in an environment where he was exposed to the festival from a young age.

Each Particle Becomes a Mighty Force

"The most important lesson I learned from the Nebuta Festival is that each small individual element can create a tremendous force," Yoshida says.

The preparation for the Nebuta Festival requires a significant amount of time and effort. As soon as the festival ends in August, projects for the next year begin, with continuous discussions about the creation of the Nebuta. A few months before the festival, full-scale production starts, leading up to the event. These process has been repeated and create the current Nebuta Festival.

From the construction to the operation and the final event, numerous people unite to ensure the festival's success. This unity resembles the way each cell in the human body comes to life and resonates with each other, creating a sense of harmony. Witnessing such scenes during his childhood has become the foundation of Yoshida's current craftsmanship.

This also applies to glassmaking. Glass consists of many tiny particles coming together to form a single object. Unlike other crafts like pottery, glass art involves using tools to shape the glass without direct hand contact.

"I feel like glass has its own will and that I am just helping it take shape. So, I am always mindful of having a dialogue with the glass," says Yoshida.

Learning the Japanese Sense of "Ma". the sense of space and time

Another key element that Yoshida emphasizes in his work is the concept of "ma." This is a uniquely Japanese cultural and aesthetic concept referring to the spatial, temporal, or relational intervals or gaps.

Under the tutelage of a pioneering glass artist in Japan's early days of glass tableware, Yoshida learned to interpret and incorporate this concept into his own creations.

"There is an intriguing aspect to incompleteness, which is what 'ma' embodies. In glass art, the incomplete elements—such as the layers within the glass or the clear, colorless sections—can be seen as spaces, or 'ma.' I strive to express 'ma', the beauty that emerges when the glass harmonizes with colors," says Yoshida.

His "Eki-Ryu-Hari" series reflects this concept through the interplay of colored layers and transparent sections, aiming to create a sense of perfect balance between the user, the liquid (sake), and the glass itself.

This unique piece features an iron texture on the surface, allowing you to enjoy the changes over time. The iron parts on the surface create a rare coloration that enhances with age. Glass is a material that can last for a thousand years, and this piece becomes something you live with, confirming the happiness in small things.

This piece represents the flow of clear water, inspired by the clear streams of the Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage site in Aomori. It embodies purity, transparency, and calmness amidst freedom, perfect for moments when you seek tranquility.

Inspired by the white snake, this piece expresses the image of numerous coils wrapping around each other. In Japan, the white snake is revered as a deity that brings good fortune. This piece is crafted with the hope that it will bring good luck to its users.

Purple is a color associated with nobility in Japan. This piece is crafted with the hope that your drinks and moments will be elevated to a noble status.

Red represents passion and heat. This piece expresses the heat emanating from the glass itself. Feel the energy of the glass from your hand to your mouth.

Created with the image of leaves dancing in the spring breeze, this piece conveys a pleasant feeling from the rim of the glass. Green symbolizes new beginnings, safety, and peace, and this piece is made with the hope of bringing peace to its users.

※Please note that since each Sake Cups is handmade, the sizes may vary slightly.Diameter: Φ5~6.5cmHeight: 5~6.5cm