Exhibition: Blows
This project, that presents samples of Edo Glass, highlights the tradition and development of this type of glass and how it is reflected in daily life in Japan
Edo Glass objects displayed in a serene setting (2021-12-15/2022-03-06) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
The (Sopros) Blows project features contemporary utility pieces made of glass in the Edo Glass style. This set of artisanal glass-making techniques was developed in the Edo Period (17th to 19th centuries) and, today, it is still as a symbol of the production done in Tokyo, Japan. Two concomitant exhibitions will illustrate the evolution of the relationship between tradition and the present through the work of skilled Japanese artisans.
Blows – Japanese glass designs
The exhibit has an expography that references an industrial setting that contrasts with the lightness, delicateness, and transparency of glass, and the pieces portray a glimpse of everyday life in Japan today.
Among the more than 300 objects on display are glasses, vases, plates, and paper weights, as well as items less familiar to the Brazilian audience, like chopstick holders and holders for onigiri (traditional Japanese rice dumplings).
Curated by Japan House São Paulo's cultural director Natasha Barzaghi Geenen, the exhibition features pieces that employ basic techniques of the Edo Glass style, as well as specific technologies, such as color applied to some objects.
To Natasha: "the main purpose is to present this unique production, whose tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, as well as to highlight the elegant and versatile qualities of glass. It undergoes a series of physical and chemical transformations prior to becoming a unique piece that reflects the efforts and creativity of the artisans involved."
Glass production in Japan
The exhibition's main theme, glass production in Japan also establishes a dialog with the context of this practice in Brazil, as this element was introduced to both countries by Europeans in the mid-16th century.
Edo Glass: Traditional glass techniques
There are different techniques that were applied and improved in the Japanese archipelago, ensuring the creation of a new, unique language about this material in combination with bold designs that can suit current Japanese daily needs.
“It is interesting how these pieces reveal a way of life in Japan, being more than ornaments or functional pieces. Additionally, the coexistence of traditional and contemporary can also be seen in this exhibition as a way of experiencing the current aesthetics that countless artisans have been developing using traditional techniques,” emphasizes Natasha.
The project that aims to bring more visibility to a production that is officially recognized as a Japanese heritage:
With support from the Tobu Glass Industry Cooperative Association of Japan, the organization that oversees all certified companies producing Edo Glass, the project will feature pieces from factories recognized for this production: Iwasawa Glass Co., Tajima Glass Co., Sugahara Glassworks Inc., Toyo-Sasaki Glass Co., Ltd. and Nakakin Glass Inc.
Night view of Sopros exhibition's centerpiece (2021-12-15/2022-03-06) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
Tobu Glass Industry Cooperative Association of Japan
The organization promotes and encourages companies that produce Edo Glass. It organizes notable events, exhibitions, and competitions geared toward the segment. http://www.tobu-glass.or.jp/
Elegant Edo Glass cups with wooden lids (2021-12-15/2022-03-06) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
Iwasawa Glass Co.
Founded in 1917, the company produces a wide variety of items, such as plates, bowls, soy sauce saucers (suri guchi and negi guchi), vases, ashtrays, and paper weights, among others. http://www.iwasawa-glass.co.jp/
Colorful Edo Glass bowls with floral patterns (2021-12-15/2022-03-06) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
Nakakin Glass Inc.
Ever since its foundation, in 1946, it makes pieces using the “Nakakin color superimposition” method, in which two colors are blown simultaneously to overlap. The company helped popularize Edo Glass using a technique called Edo Kiriko. https://nakakinglass.com/
Night view of Sopros exhibition's centerpiece (2021-12-15/2022-03-06) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
Sugahara Glassworks Inc.
The Japanese handcrafted glass factory was founded in 1932, in Tokyo. It brings together artisans who use traditional Japanese production techniques and methods to create a variety of pieces, updating them for contemporary life and uses. “Glass is alive” and “Communicating with glass” are the maximum expressions of Sugahara, which has more than 4,000 items in its catalog. https://sghr.us/
Wide view of the Sopros exhibition space (2021-12-15/2022-03-06) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
Tajima Glass Co.
The company produces glasses and glass bowls, and pioneered making material overlays (Edo Kiriko and Sand blast). It was awarded for the piece “Edo Glass - Monte Fuji wine glass”, in addition to being granted a decoration from the Japan Tourism Agency. The company was established in 1956. https://www.tajimaglass.com/
Toyo-Sasaki Glass Co.
With over 100 years of history, the company was founded in the late 19th century and is a leader in the manufacturing of glass dishes, working both with industrial and artisanal processes. While the machine-made line produces high-quality products quickly, the handcrafted one is made by artisans who have mastered extraordinary Edo Glass techniques. https://www.toyo.sasaki.co.jp/e/
Press play and understand more about the exhibition:
Japan House São Paulo
Paulista Avenue, 52
Bela Vista – São Paulo/SP
Phone: +55 11 3090-8900
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