Spending time working with glass in a workshop surrounded by greenery

The workshop is located in a quiet area surrounded by rice fields near Lake Hamana. Each tool is neatly lined up, giving the impression of having been there for a long time.

Glass beads are a type of glasswork that has traveled around the world since before Christ, spreading from East to West along the Silk Road. They have been popular in Japan since the Nara period, and are still loved today as accessories and works of art.

The patterns created by the colorful glass inside the small balls reflect a rich world that continues to fascinate people throughout the ages.

An experience that overlaps with people's "feelings"

There are as many little stories as there are people who visit this workshop.

A mother and her daughter make a birthday present for her father, or finish a piece of art to give to their parents as a wedding gift. You can also see children making art to express their gratitude to their teachers after graduating from kindergarten.

Some people who have been in poor health for a long time come to regain some energy and visit as a form of rehabilitation, enjoying the time spent making glass.

The time spent here goes beyond the creation of artwork; it is also a time when people's thoughts quietly take shape.

"Every piece is filled with the feelings of the person who made it, and each piece remains as a unique expression," says the owner, Shirayanagi. It feels like a piece created with your own hands becomes a reflection of affection and memories, more than just the finished product.

The fun of choosing colors and drawing patterns

The experience begins by choosing the color to use for the ball. The impression can change dramatically depending on the choice, such as layering vivid colors on clear glass or drawing patterns with dots and lines.

One of the attractions of this experience is that you can proceed while imagining the atmosphere you want to create. If you are unsure, Shirayanagi will carefully suggest methods and color combinations that are easy for beginners to use, so you can rest assured.

Facing the flame, weaving glass

Once the design is decided, the glass rod is melted over the flame of a burner and wound around a core rod to create the shape of a ball. When heated, the glass softens and changes its appearance with a breathtakingly smooth appearance.

By placing colored glass to create a pattern and then applying heat to shape it, your very own glass bead will gradually take shape.

The experience of creating a world unfolding inside a small ball right before your eyes is like magic.

The joy of owning a one-of-a-kind glass bead

The finished glass beads are slowly cooled in special equipment. During this time, you can enjoy lunch in the surrounding area or take a stroll around the scenery of Lake Hamana.

You can take your finished work home with you on the same day, or have it mailed to you, so you can keep it as a lasting memento of your trip.

If you make your own glass beads into pendants or straps, they will become a part of your daily life for a long time.

Because the small balls are filled with the colors you chose and the thoughts you put into them, they vividly evoke memories of the day they were made and the person you gave them to.

The time spent in the quiet workshop is not only a time to face glass, but also an opportunity to reexamine yourself and the time you spend with your loved ones.

What you can experience in this tour

First, carefully choose the color and pattern, and once you have decided on your own design, you can begin creating. The process of melting the glass, layering the colored glass, and gradually shaping it requires a lot of concentration, as you proceed using your hands and eyes.

The finished balls are cooled in special equipment and can be taken home the same day. They will be made into choker necklaces, straps, hair ties, bracelets, and more, so you can wear them right away during your trip or give them as souvenirs to loved ones.

 

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Guide introduction

Akane Shirayanagi, Representative of Glass Studio CLOVER

Originally from Hamamatsu City, he opened Glass Studio CLOVER 15 years ago and continues to work with glass in his hometown every day. After studying glass in Ishikawa Prefecture and gaining experience at a studio in Kaga, he went independent in Hamamatsu. Through hands-on classes in glassblowing and glass beads, he conveys to visitors the depth of glass and the joy of creating things.