Izumi Tonbodama are glass beads (tonbodama) made in Izumi City and Sakai City. Tonbodama are round glass beads whose surfaces are decorated with patterns in two or more colors of glass. The name is said to come from the resemblance of their dotted patterns to the compound eyes of a dragonfly (tonbo). In Izumi Province (present-day Sakai City and the area to its south), glass beads are said to have been made since before the Nara period. In the Edo period, they were widely known as '泉州玉' (Senshu beads) and 'saka-tonbo.' Production techniques were established in the early Meiji era, and in the Shinoda area of Izumi City, glass-bead making flourished as a side business for farmers. In the Taisho era, the production of artificial pearls, made by coating glass beads, also spread. The beads are formed by winding colored glass rods melted in a flame around a mandrel, and patterns are then added to the surface. The color techniques created by combining multiple kinds of glass are also put to use in restoring National Treasures and repairing cultural properties. In 2002 (Heisei 14), it was designated an Osaka Prefecture-designated Traditional Craft.
Origin
Tonbodama have a long history in Japan as well, already appearing as grave goods in the Kofun period. According to Osaka Prefecture, glass beads are said to have been made in Izumi Province since before the Nara period. Dictionaries explain that in the Edo period the technique was introduced anew from the Netherlands via Nagasaki and was actively practiced in Osaka. Glass beads from Izumi in the Edo period were known by the names '泉州玉' (Senshu beads) and 'saka-tonbo.'
History
In the early Meiji era, glass-bead production techniques were established in Izumi Province, and the craft flourished as a side business for farmers in what is now the Shinoda area of Izumi City. In the Taisho era, the production of artificial pearls, made by coating glass beads, also spread. 佐竹ガラス in Izumi City, a factory making colored glass rods for crafts that has operated since before the war, has supplied materials for glasswork and the base beads that form the cores of artificial pearls. On January 8, 2002, 'Izumi Tonbodama' became an Osaka Prefecture-designated Traditional Craft.
Features
Izumi Tonbodama are made by winding colored glass rods melted in a flame around a mandrel to form a bead, then adding patterns to the surface with glass of other colors. Osaka Prefecture introduces the process in the order of pattern preparation, bead winding, pattern application, shaping in a mold and cooling. Their appeal lies in the colors produced by combining multiple kinds of glass. The techniques have also been carried on in the restoration of National Treasures and the repair of cultural properties. Finished beads are made into accessories such as necklaces and straps.
Techniques
Bead winding
Colored glass rods are melted in the flame of a kerosene burner and wound around an iron mandrel, which is turned to shape a round bead. This technique has been handed down in the glass-bead making of Shinoda, and the shape of the bead is determined by how the glass melts and how the mandrel is turned.
Pattern application
Glass of another color is melted onto the surface of the wound bead to draw patterns. Multiple colored glasses are combined to create distinctive colors. The resemblance of the dotted patterns to a dragonfly's compound eyes is said to be the origin of the name tonbodama.
Materials Used
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Artisans & Workshops
山月工房
The Izumi Tonbodama Industry Association (和泉蜻蛉玉産業協会), which Osaka Prefecture lists as the point of contact for Izumi Tonbodama, is located inside the 山月工房 Sakai Higashi store. The store also serves as the Izumi Tonbodama Museum (和泉蜻蛉玉資料館) and is located at 文具のキシダ 2F, 1-4-25 中瓦町, Sakai Ward, Sakai City (phone 072-224-2670).
佐竹ガラス
A colored glass rod maker in 幸, Izumi City. It is said to be the only factory in Japan making colored glass rods for crafts that has continued since before the war, and its building is a nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property. It has supplied materials for Izumi glasswork and the base beads that form the cores of artificial pearls.
How to Buy
- 山月工房 Sakai Higashi Store (Izumi Tonbodama Museum)
- 文具のキシダ 2F, 1-4-25 中瓦町, Sakai Ward, Sakai City. The store of the workshop, which houses the Izumi Tonbodama Industry Association and also serves as a museum. It is best to check the opening days by phone (072-224-2670) before visiting.
- 佐竹ガラス Factory Shop
- A shop attached to the factory at 2-11-30 幸, Izumi City, selling glasswork and accessories. The factory also has a glass studio and a hands-on workshop. Open from 9:00 to 17:00.
Hands-on Experiences
佐竹ガラス とんぼ玉体験教室
大阪府和泉市幸2-11-30
Reservations are required, and children from the second grade of elementary school can take part. On weekdays, it costs about 2,000 to 2,500 yen for one hour, and participants are said to be able to make up to 15 beads. On Saturdays, it is 2,500 yen per person for two hours (up to 3 people). On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, visitors can also watch the craftspeople at work (free, reservation required).
FAQ
Q. Where does the name 'tonbodama' come from?
A. It is said to have been named because the dotted patterns drawn with colored glass resemble the compound eyes of a dragonfly (tonbo). The term refers to round glass beads whose surfaces are decorated with circular motifs and other designs in two or more colors of glass.
Q. Are the Osaka Prefecture-designated Traditional Crafts 'Tonbodama' and 'Izumi Tonbodama' the same thing?
A. Among Osaka Prefecture's traditional crafts, 'Tonbodama' and 'Izumi Tonbodama' are designated separately as two items. Izumi Tonbodama has Izumi City and Sakai City as its production areas and was designated in 2002.