Pop Up Store - Ryukyu Glass
4.29 Fri - 5.15 Sun
at Forget-me-nots

Since the opening of Forget-me-nots Daikanyama main store a year ago, we have held a total of four POP-UP STOREs for ceramics, including Yachimun and Jean Pierre Kohut. This time, we will hold a POP-UP STORE for Ryukyu Glass from April 29, 2022 (Friday).

Ryukyu Glass, an Okinawan craft, has a history of over 100 years. Glassmaking in Okinawa had already begun around the mid-Meiji period, but glass workshops suffered devastating damage during World War II. After the war, with a shortage of materials and increasing demand for daily use vessels and souvenirs, artisans began producing glass products from discarded beer and cola bottles from U.S. military facilities. The unique and vibrant colors of recycled glass became popular, and even today, many workshops still produce glass from recycled bottles.

Originally, glass products were valued for their transparency, but the air bubbles contained in Ryukyu Glass are appreciated as a unique characteristic. When recycled bottles are cleaned and melted in a melting furnace, impurities such as remaining label residue can cause air bubbles to form easily. However, this has come to be seen as a desirable quality, and now efforts are made to intentionally incorporate many bubbles.

The main technique is "blown glass," which uses three furnaces: one to melt the glass, one to finish the product, and one to cool it. Therefore, 2-3 artisans work together manually to create one piece, making each one unique. Recently, dishwashable items have also appeared, demonstrating excellent practicality. Additionally, with a moderate thickness and stability, they are resistant to breakage and can be used safely outdoors, so enjoying their sparkle under the sun during the upcoming season is highly recommended.