Design
Sugahara Glassworks
A stunning piece!
Saki Handcrafted Glass Flower Sake Set with gold rim, frosted wine red.
Image courtesy of: Japan Design Store
For almost ninety years, Sugahara has been applying traditional Japanese design techniques to produce beautiful glassware in ways that are unique and beautiful. Always handcrafted, Sugahara has elevated tabletop glassware to a new level thanks to their talented artisans.
Sugahara adheres to these two statements, “Glass is alive.” and “Conversing with glass.” Unless you work at Sugahara, you might not understand what these two expressions mean. However for the company’s master glass craftsmen, these words feel natural since to them, the glass feels alive.
Sugahara Duo Glassware
The color combination for this trio of glasses is stunning. The Juice Glass (left) is 5″(h) and holds 6.75 oz. The Tumbler Glass (middle) is 6.25″(h) and holds 16 oz. The Old Fashioned Glass (right) is the most popular of all glassware items, it is 3.25″(h) and holds 16 oz.
Image courtesy of: Hugh
In 1932, Kazuma Sugahara started a small glassware manufacturing business. Eleven years later, in 1943, Sugahara merged with Tokyo Glassware Industry Co., Ltd. in order to grow the business. However this merger did not go as planned and a mere four years later, Sugahara reopened independently at its previous location. Since then, Sugahara has been expanding the offerings beyond tableware… in 1999, the company added glass tiles, door knobs, tables, and outdoor lighting to their growing collection.
Matte Black Glass Pitcher. The lead-frosted glass makes the pitcher easy to pick up even though it appears to be heavy.
Dimensions are: 3.35″ x 8.65″
Image courtesy of: Ode to Things
The artisans at Sugahara know the glass inside-out. As is written on their website,”There is a moment when glass, as a liquid under extreme heat, attains its supreme beauty. That moment is captured, and a form is given to it. Drawing out the infinite potential of glass to the fullest. Creating a unique shine and flowing forms. To do this, Craftsmen stand face-to-face with glass each day and listen to its voice.”
Kirameki (Grid) glass
Translated to mean “glitter” in Japanese, these glasses are special in that their contents reflect in the light creating a gorgeous shadow.
Image courtesy of: Jetro
Sugahara’s glassblowers are masters at making the simple pieces. Interestingly, these are a lot harder to make than the more experimental work that allow for more errors. The company’s master glassblowers are able to create vessels that are simplistic looking in form; but extremely difficult to produce.
Surely, this comes from years of experience; and as they never compromise on quality… their main focus remains wholeheartedly on the product. Like other Japanese companies, Sugahara is great at collaborating with native designers and young talent. Adding collaborations to their business model has allowed Sugahara to remain current without compromising the values of the past ninety years!
Nozumi Whiskey Glasses are available in tan, indigo, clear, and wine red color variations.
Image courtesy of: ATYS Design
One downfall of mass-produced glassmaking is that it is extremely polluting. Sugahara however shines in their environmentally-friendly manufacturing methods. Yusuke Sugahara, president of the company says (courtesy of an interview with Art Digest), “We’ve been researching making our designs with recycled glass, and aim to have zero glass waste by the end of this year.”
Never compromising on style, quality, and tradition… Sugahara will no doubt be around for at least another ninety years. We anxiously await to see what beautiful collections they will churn out next!
