Tsugaru Vidro is a handmade glass craft produced by Hokuyo Glass in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture. Hokuyo Glass was founded in 1949 (Showa 24) as a factory making glass fishing floats, and became a top domestic producer using the chubuki (free-blown, mold-free) technique it developed for making sturdy floats. However, as the spread of plastic floats reduced demand, the craftsmen applied their skills to making tableware and vases instead, and 'Tsugaru Vidro' was born in 1977 (Showa 52). When sand from Tsugaru's Shichiri-Nagahama beach was added as a raw material, it produced a rich green color, launching full-scale production of colored glass; today the company blends more than 100 varieties of colored glass in-house. In March 1996 (Heisei 8), it was designated a Traditional Craft by Aomori Prefecture, and it remains loved at home and abroad as a glass craft reflecting Aomori's nature.
Origin
Hokuyo Glass, the parent company behind Tsugaru Vidro, was founded in 1949 (Showa 24) in Tomita, Aomori City, as a factory producing glass fishing floats. Its sturdy, high-quality floats were also prized as markers for scallop farming racks in Mutsu Bay, and by 1973 (Showa 48) the company had grown to become Japan's top producer, a process through which its chubuki glassblowing technique was refined.
History
In the latter half of the Showa era, demand for floats, Hokuyo Glass's main product, declined as plastic floats spread, prompting the company to apply its chubuki skills to making tableware and vases instead. 'Tsugaru Vidro' was born in 1977 (Showa 52), and in March 1996 (Heisei 8) it was designated a Traditional Craft by Aomori Prefecture, continuing to develop as the prefecture's leading glass craft.
Features
Its greatest characteristics are the chubuki technique, which shapes glass using only breath and tools without a mold, and its distinctive colored glass made by adding sand from Shichiri-Nagahama beach on the Tsugaru Peninsula. After a craftsman happened to add this sand and produced a rich green color, further research followed, and today the company blends more than 100 varieties of colored glass in-house, creating richly colorful pieces that reflect the beauty of the four seasons.
Materials Used
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Artisans & Workshops
北洋硝子株式会社
Founded in 1949 (Showa 24). The sole maker of Tsugaru Vidro, producing it using the chubuki glassblowing technique refined through making fishing floats and its own original colored glass.
Official site →How to Buy
- 津軽びいどろ公式オンラインショップ
- The official online shop run by Hokuyo Glass, where you can purchase Tsugaru Vidro tableware, vases, and other items.Where to buy →PR
- 北洋硝子 工場直売ショップ
- A showroom attached to the factory in Tomita, Aomori City, selling Tsugaru Vidro products directly. Every July, a glass market is also held offering outlet prices.
Hands-on Experiences
北洋硝子 工場見学
青森県青森市富田4丁目29-13
Factory tours are available for groups of one or more with advance reservation. Visitors can see up close how colored glass is made using Shichiri-Nagahama sand and watch craftsmen shape glass using the chubuki free-blowing technique.
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