{"id":82030,"date":"2021-09-08T18:22:24","date_gmt":"2021-09-08T09:22:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=82030"},"modified":"2021-09-10T09:51:46","modified_gmt":"2021-09-10T00:51:46","slug":"okinawan-glass-making-experience-ryukyu-glass-workshop-shizuku","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/okinawan-glass-making-experience-ryukyu-glass-workshop-shizuku\/","title":{"rendered":"Okinawan Glass Making Experience in Ryukyu Glass Workshop Shizuku"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Like many of the traditional crafts of the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom (\u7409\u7403\u738b\u56fd), Okinawan glass is also part of a story of war, hard work, resilience, and rebirth. Nowadays, some artisans on these islands located in southern Japan<\/a> continue to make Okinawan glass (also known as Ryukyu glass \u7409\u7403\u30b0\u30e9\u30b9) inheriting the spirit of their predecessors who had recovered from the war. Handmade glasses are part of everyday life for Okinawans<\/strong>, especially for enjoying awamori<\/em> (\u6ce1\u76db), Okinawa’s own alcohol. Ryukyu glass is, undoubtedly, the most famous and valued glass in Japan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During my trip to Yomitan Village in Okinawa<\/a>, I visited Ryukyu Glass Workshop Shizuku, a handmade glass studio established by artisan Naoki Kaneshi in 2014<\/strong>. The nature of the islands inspires his glass, and its vivid colors sparkle in the sunlight. In addition, Ryukyu Glass Workshop Shizuku also offers the experience of creating your own glass<\/strong>. But if you want to enjoy the beauty of Okinawan glass without having to wait for your next trip, on the Voyapon Store<\/a> you can purchase some of Ryukyu Glass Workshop Shizuku’s products whenever you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Beginning of the Okinawan Glass and the History of a War<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before the Meiji Era (1868-1912), most glass in Okinawa was imported from mainland Japan by sea on merchant ships. But because many of the products were often damaged during the sea voyage, some artisans from Osaka and Nagasaki decided to establish their own glass factories in Okinawa. They began to produce some items such as medicine bottles, glasses, gas lamps, or bottles for alcohol and beverages until the spring of 1945 when the American army arrived on the shores of Yomitan village, causing the beginning of the Battle of Okinawa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaneshi-san tells me snippets of the battle that forever changed the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom. “The island and its manufacturing were devastated during the war<\/strong>. Many of the artisans had to flee or were detained by American troops. Workshops and glassware were turned into rubble.” When the war ended, Okinawans began to rebuild their little world<\/strong>, setting an example of courage and hope. Many artisans re-opened their glass workshops and resumed production. But due to a lack of resources, they had to use whatever materials were available after the devastation caused by the bloody battle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n