Asahi Glass Studio

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

This paperweight demonstrates Ito-san's skill set as a hand blown glassmaker. The glass shows such realistic texture in this oyster shape and design. It can be used as a paperweight, but also simply as a unique art piece for display.

*These glass pieces are NOT dishwasher safe.

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

This piece has a deep, ocean-like blue, with the studio's unique "silver snow effect" woven into them.

*these glass pieces are NOT dishwasher safe.

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

These guinomi pieces have a deep, ocean-like blue, with the studio's unique "silver snow effect" woven into them. The term for a small cup (smaller than teacups) for sake, Guinomi, derives from the Japanese phrase, "guitto nomu" (drink at a gulp/tossback/with a jerk/at a draft). Guinomi is traditionally a tableware for fine dining, and it has an artistic history of developing with the tea culture and matcha chawan (matcha bowls). When looking into guinomi is often referred to as looking into a microcosm. These guinomi from Ito-san, together with milky way like silver flake and deep blue, "expands" its microcosmic beauty when sake is poured.

*these glass pieces are NOT dishwasher safe.

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

These cups feature a cracked design on the bottom, with patches of translucent green throughout.

*these glass pieces are NOT dishwasher safe.

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

These cups feature a misty white swirl that extends, like clouds, from top to bottom.

*these glass pieces are NOT dishwasher safe.

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

Ginsai plates exhibit a beautiful silvery-white snow effect that is visible from all sides. The uneven surface helps create a dynamic and fun plating experience.

*these glass pieces are NOT dishwasher safe.

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

This bowl features interesting lines that imitate the movement of water. The raised rim makes it easier to plate dishes that include broth and/or sauce. It should work well with anything from vegetables to fish, fruit to meat. It can also look very beautiful as a display piece.

*these glass pieces are NOT dishwasher safe.

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

"Wadatsumi" translates to Sea God. The plate mimicks the beauty of the white ocean throughout. This unique and dynamic piece can be used for a variety of purposes; plating fruit, sashimi, salad, etc. It can also look very beautiful as a display piece.

*these glass pieces are NOT dishwasher safe.

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

These cups are mostly clear glass, but the bottoms feature a black glass section with gold metalic accents.

*these glass pieces are NOT dishwasher safe.

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

This bowl shows the studio's unique "snow white" effect on their glassware - it has a touch of silver/white on the forest green. Known to be culturally and religiously rich in history, Mt. Chokai is the tallest mountain in the region. This ginsai hachi chokai piece reflects the stunning beauty of the mountain.

*these glasses are NOT dishwasher safe.