Inamine Seikichi (1940-2021) Vintage Ryukyu glass cup #5061
- SKU:
- 5061
caliber: approx. 7.8 cm (3 1⁄16 in)
height: approx. 4.5 cm (1 49⁄64 in)
ｗeight: 96g
Inaine Seikichi
1940-2021
male
ryukyu glass
born in Kiyomiya, Naha City in 1940.
In 1954, he started working at Okuhara Glass Manufacturing.
In 1988, he established the "Sofuki Glass Studio Niji" in Yomitan Village.
In 1994, he was selected by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as an "Outstanding Technician (Modern Master)."
In 2005, he opened the "Homura Glass Craft Museum."
During the post-war era of scarcity, Inamine supported his household by melting down discarded beer and cola bottles left by American soldiers to create recycled glass. The process often resulted in bubbles in the glass due to impurities such as leftover labels, but he ingeniously turned this flaw into a feature, establishing a unique style of bubble glass. His works also incorporated materials such as curry powder, coral soil unique to Okinawa, and activated charcoal, refreshing the image of Ryukyu glass. He has received numerous awards both domestically and internationally, and has exhibited at the Louvre Museum.
Ryukyu glass has become one of Okinawa's representative traditional crafts through the creativity and ingenuity of local artisans. Characterized by its bubbles and colors that evoke the beautiful subtropical nature of the region, Ryukyu glass was designated as a traditional craft of Okinawa Prefecture in 1998.
