Traditional crafts

Tsugaru Biidoro – The miraculous Tsugaru Green created from a handful of sand [Aomori Prefecture]

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Have you heard of "Tsugaru Vidro," a glass craft from Aomori Prefecture

It is the prefecture's first traditional craft, and was featured on the Nippon Television program "At a Glance!!" broadcast in August 2022 as a favorite item of Aomori-born idol O-rin for the past 10 years.

This time, we will introduce the characteristics and history of Tsugaru Vidro.

What is Tsugaru Vidro?

Tsugaru Glass is a glass craft manufactured and sold by Hokuyo Glass Co., Ltd. in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture

The products, created with sophisticated design and high technical skill, have a beauty that stirs the deepest sensibilities of those who see them

Characteristics of Tsugaru Vidro

The four seasons of Aomori expressed using colored glass

The most distinctive feature of Tsugaru Vidro is the beauty of its colors. Using over 100 types of colored glass developed in-house,

the products express the changing scenery of Aomori with each season. Tsugaru Vidro is well known for its colorful patterns, but these patterns are not painted on, but are applied one by one using colored glass.

A wide range of products created using the highly skilled craftsmen and diverse techniques

Tsugaru Biidoro offers a wide range of products, from breathtakingly beautiful crafts to everyday items that are easy to incorporate into your lifestyle

Hokuyo Glass has been involved in glass crafts for many years, and by utilizing a wide variety of techniques, it is possible to develop products that suit every scene in life, from affordable everyday items to luxurious items that make perfect gifts for special occasions

"Spin molding" is a technique that makes mass production possible

These tumblers, perfect as souvenirs or for everyday use, are made using a technique called "spin molding." This is a method of forming shapes by pouring molten glass at 1500°C into a rapidly rotating mold.

The pouring of the glass into the mold and the application of the patterns are done by hand, one by one, by artisans relying on their many years of experience and intuition.

"Chu-buki" technique that shows off the craftsman's skill

Among the various manufacturing methods, the traditional "free-blowing" method requires particularly high skill

This technique, in which air is blown into a rod and the rod is rotated in the air to create a shape, requires many years of experience to master.

Products brought to life by this air-blowing technique are truly works of art, possessing a beauty and majesty that highlights the artisan's sense.

The history of Tsugaru Vidro

Hokuyo Glass, the creator of Tsugaru Vidro, was founded as a company that manufactured and sold fishing floats, and by 1973 had the top market share in the industry

However, with the rise of plastic floats, demand for glass products plummeted, so they changed with the times and began manufacturing tableware and vases

A miracle born from a handful of sand

Tsugaru Vidro began selling in 1977, 28 years after the company was founded

The deep, beautiful color unique to Tsugaru Vidro was first created by a "handful of sand .

One day, a craftsman working on developing colored glass was strolling around his local Shichirigahama beach. He happened to notice a handful of beach sand and added it as an ingredient. The colorless, transparent glass turned a deep green.

This color was named "Tsugaru Green."

Introducing recommended series

"Nebuta" series

This is a popular series based on the Nebuta Festival, one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region

The explosive energy and vividness of the festival are expressed in colorful ways, and just looking at them makes you feel happy

"Apple" series

Aomori is synonymous with apples, and the apple series is characterized by its cute, everyday design

The chopstick rests in particular have a rounded shape that matches the design and are reasonably priced, making
them the perfect souvenir from Aomori.

"Sakura Sakura" series

The Sakura Sakura series has captured the hearts of many women

This is my favorite free cup at home, "Cherry Blossoms and Rape Blossoms."
It's as if the beautiful spring scenery of Aomori has been encapsulated in the glass.
When I hold the slightly thick glass in my hand, I feel a sense of comfort and security.

in conclusion

Tsugaru Glass is a glass that expresses the natural beauty of Aomori. If you visit Aomori, be sure to see its beauty with your own eyes. It

is sold at Hokuyo Glass's directly managed store in Aomori City, as well as at souvenir shops and craft stores throughout Aomori Prefecture, and can also be purchased online.
Factory tours are also available, so why not stop by when you're sightseeing in Aomori?

Hokuyo Glass <Information>

  • Name: Hokuyo Glass Co., Ltd
  • Address: 4-29-13 Tomita, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, 038-0004
  • Phone number: 017-782-5183
  • Official URL: https://tsugaruvidro.jp/

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