Reviving glass floats as glassware
The Hokuyo Glass Company, which produces Tsugaru Vidro, started out in 1949 as a glass fishing float manufacturer. The glass floats blown by Hokuyo were popular for their durability and the company became the top producer in Japan.
Over time, these glass floats were replaced with plastic versions and the long history of their production ended. Hokuyo used its knowledge of glassblowing techniques to instead make vases, dishware, and other everyday items. Tsugaru Vidro was first created when a craftsman added sand from Shichiri-Nagahama, thought to be one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Aomori, into their glass mixture, producing an exceptionally beautiful deep green colour in the process. The glass became an instant hit all around Japan.
Very few glass fishing floats are in use these days because they are difficult to dispose of and they are often piled up and abandoned at fishing ports. Fishermen having trouble disposing of their glass floats consulted with Hokuyo Glass, part of Ishizuka Glass, and the company has stepped in to collect this precious resource and give them new life as a glassware series. The deep aqua blue-green colour and bubbles are expressions unique to fishing floats that has been preserved.
Image: Glass floats recycled into glassware by Hokuyo Glass.
