What is blown glass? A thorough introduction to the charm, features, types, how to make it, and recommended experience classes and workshops!
On this page, one of the traditional glass crafts and glasswork handed down from ancient times in Japan " blown glass ” is a special feature. Starting with charms and features, types and how to make, works that can be made and Kanto (Tokyo) A thorough introduction to glassblowing experience classes and workshops nationwide To do. Vases (single vase), glasses (cups), wind chimes, interior goods, etc... Create a one-of-a-kind original blown glass piece in the world Please enjoy!
What is blown glass?
First of all" What is the technique of blown glass? I will explain the basic overview of ".
Glass blowing involves wrapping melted glass around a stainless steel blowing rod and blowing it through the mouth like a straw. The technique of blowing into glass is.
Although there are various theories, its origin dates back to around the 1st century BC, Developed by Phoenician glass craftsmen It is said that
With the advent of blown glass, molten glass was poured into molds, which had been the mainstream until then. Mass production is possible than "core technique" Become.
After that, blown glass became the foundation of the glass craft industry. The most basic glass molding technique ” is still used to this day.
The charm of blown glass
The charm of blown glass is, first of all, " Not one work is the same ” is the point.
Depending on the environment such as the temperature of the glass, the humidity of the day, and the way you breathe Unique glass work will be born.
Characteristics of blown glass
As the name suggests, the characteristic of blown glass is "Blowing" into the glass material is in
By blowing into hot glass, Various glass works such as glasses (cups), vases, and bowls can be made.
types of blown glass
Then, " types of blown glass ” will be explained.
Blown glass can be broadly divided into blown glass "When" mold blown glass are classified into two types of techniques.
Below, the Features and differences between the two types are summarized.
What is air-blown glass?
When many people hear the word blown glass, this image comes to mind. blown glass "it might be.
Free-blown glass is a piece of molten glass wrapped around Shape the work while blowing air from the blowpipe How to do it.
Since no mold is used, it is easily affected by the strength (amount) of breath and gravity, and the finished work Features that bring a “handmade feeling” there is.
What is mold-blown glass?
While "free-blown glass" does not use a mold, A method of putting glass in a predetermined mold and blowing air into it is.
The mold used is also called "mole", Various materials such as metal molds, wooden molds, and plaster Made with
It is characterized by being able to make multiple works of the same shape and design as much as there is a mold, Blown glass techniques suitable for mass production can be said.
It is said that the glass is molded by blowing air from a blowing rod with a hole. Both have the same basic mechanism is.
Beginners can participate In the blown glass one day experience plan, it is common to use "free-blown glass" is.
how to make blown glass
Next, let's take a look at how to make blown glass. Working process of "free-blown glass" I will explain briefly.
In the one-day glass blowing experience class held at glass studios nationwide, A glass craftsman gives a lecture on these processes in an easy-to-understand manner for beginners They will do it for you.
1. Melting glass
Due to heat of approximately 1,000°C or more Melt the glass material until it is soft like starch syrup To go.
By softening the hard glass material, Can be processed into various shapes becomes.
2. wrap
The glass material in a melted and soft state Wrap it around a blowing rod made of stainless steel, etc. I will continue.
This process determines the size of the work. Basic work to start "free-blown glass" is.
3. Making lower balls
Blow into the pipe-shaped blowing rod to inflate the glass a little. "Shita-dama", the foundation to make
How to blow air from the blowpipe Image of inflating a balloon with a straw is.
4. Making top ball
Dissolved from the top of the "lower ball" The glass material is wound again to form a shape called a "top ball." To do.
This "top ball" The surface of the glass work, the part that becomes the so-called face It will become
5. Bottom making
With the glass (lower ball / upper ball) wrapped around the blowpipe, Molding the part that will be the bottom of the work To do.
It will be the part that makes the glass (cup) and vase (single vase) stand on its own. The key is to work carefully is.
6.Make a mouthpiece
Perforated molded glass pieces From a blowing rod to a ponte rod without holes move.
After that, cut off the glass work from the ponte rod and remove the glass (cup). Molding a hole that will be the drinking mouth part I will continue.
7. Completion
After arranging the drinking mouth part, it will be a glass work, Completion of the glass (cup) after decoration such as design and color is.
Simple, no design Various designs such as textures and characters can be applied.
The work process introduced so far uses "blown glass" An example of making glasses, cups, etc. is.
Based on this work process, Various techniques and techniques by craftsmen It will be finished in a beautiful glass work using.
things made of blown glass
" What kind of glass works can be made with blown glass? Isn't there a lot of people who have doubts?
Below, based on the plan data published in Activity Japan " things made of blown glass We will introduce the types of
- glass (cup)
- tumbler
- vase
- vase
- Ryukyu glass
- tableware
- wind chimes
- paper weight
- accessories
- Such
The basics of "blown glass" Glasses (cups), tumblers, vases, flower vases, etc. You can make various glass accessories such as
others, Tableware, glass wind chimes, paperweights and accessories The experience plan to make is also a popular course regardless of age or sex.
Reservation reference data for glass blowing experience
Below, based on the plan information posted on Activity Japan, " Reservation reference data for glass blowing experience ” is summarized.
Rate (price) rate, age for participation, required time, necessary belongings, etc. Information you need to know before experiencing glassblowing Let's check it out.
Price of blowing glass experience
At Activity Japan, From 2,000 (tax included) per participant at the lowest price Introducing the glass blowing experience that can be reserved.
experience fee Pricing varies depending on the classroom/workshop However, it is generally determined by the amount of glass used and the length of the experience time.
Target age for blowing glass experience
At Activity Japan, From a 3-year-old child to a 100-year-old Introducing glass blowing experiences that you can participate in.
of the work to make Depending on conditions such as difficulty, 6 years old (elementary school students) and 12 years old (junior high school students) and above There is an age limit for participation.
Time required for glass blowing experience
It takes a blown glass 1 day experience introduced in Activity Japan The time required is about 1 to 2 hours is.
The meeting time for the one-day experience class is In general, you can select your desired time slot in 1-hour increments. So you can make a reservation according to your schedule.
What to bring for the glass blowing experience
The blown glass experience introduced in Activity Japan is Basically, you can participate "empty-handed" Most of the time.
In addition to materials, rental fees for tools and equipment required for glass blowing are included in the price. So please wear clothes that are easy to work in.
Blown glass experience plan nationwide
Finally, we are currently accepting internet advance reservations at Activity Japan " Blown glass experience plan nationwide ” will be introduced by region.
Please use the experience place and plan contents, as well as the reputation based on reviews and word-of-mouth experiences, to help you compare and consider choosing a blown glass experience plan.
Hokkaido blowing glass experience plan
- 3.7
- (6 reviews and testimonials)
☆We do not reply to reservations made on weekends or holidays. Please note that we will reply to reservations made on Mondays. If you wish to make a reservation on a weekend or holiday, please make sure to make the reservation by 4:00 p.m. on Friday. *Reservations by phone can also be made on the day. Why not try making your own original glass in Otaru?
- 5.0
- (2 reviews and testimonials)
At the glass studio "Nieun Petzgarasu Art Institute" in Watts, Kitahiroshima City, you can experience blowing glass. Even beginners can have a fun production experience. Please visit us once.
Kanto blowing glass experience plan
Tokyo
- 4.9
- (21 reviews/testimonials)
Let's make your own original glass! Blown glass blows into melted glass and expands it into a shape. Please feel free to experience it as you can experience it until completion in about 30 minutes. The completed work will be properly packed and delivered by mail (additional shipping fee is required). Blowing glass is a very popular technique as a lesson
[Tokyo Suginami] Beginners welcome! Also recommended for dates! glass blowing experience
- 5.0
- (3 reviews and testimonials)
It is a glass blowing experience plan at the popular shop "Bluegrass Arts" where there are many media coverage, commercials, movies, etc. Even if you are a complete beginner, the staff will give you a one-on-one lecture. Fun talks about glass and workshops are also one of the pleasures ♪ Production of tumblers, plates, vases, etc.
How do you make glass? do you want to learn? Recommended for those who think. Aiming for the desired shape, let's make the only one original vessel in the world with the instructor. I will send you the work I made at a later date, but you can also make a small glass accessory that you can take home on the day.
How do you make glass? do you want to learn? Recommended for those who think. Aiming for the desired shape, let's make the only one original vessel in the world with the instructor. I will send you the work I made at a later date, but you can also make a small glass accessory that you can take home on the day.
How do you make glass? do you want to learn? Recommended for those who think. Aiming for the desired shape, let's make the only one original vessel in the world with the instructor. I will send you the work I made at a later date, but you can also make a small glass accessory that you can take home on the day.
Kanagawa
It is a plan where you can experience full-fledged blown glass. Why don't you make your one-of-a-kind glass with a full-fledged method of turning the blowpipe, blowing into it, and using tools to shape it? Glasses can be colored at no extra charge. Challenge yourself to create your own original work.
Chiba
- 5.0
- (1 review and testimonial)
You can make only one original glass in the world by breathing your own breath into a memory of your trip or a gift for your loved ones. Various shapes such as glasses, sake cups, vases, and small bowls, and various patterns such as vertical stripes, polka dots, and more. ! (Experience time translation 15 minutes)
Koushinetsu glass blowing experience plan
Yamanashi
- 5.0
- (5 reviews and testimonials)
A blown glass experience where you blow into molten glass to inflate it and shape it. Glassware, small bowls, flower vase, wind chimes, accessories, paper weights, etc. Children over the age of 4 can participate, so how about a family trip?
- 5.0
- (3 reviews and testimonials)
You can freely combine various colored glass such as lapis lazuli to make a Mt. Fuji vase! Perfect as a gift or as a souvenir of your trip! The workshop is located on a hill with a view of Mt. Fuji, and a pleasant breeze blows in. Enjoy the experience surrounded by nature!
- 5.0
- (2 reviews and testimonials)
This is a special plan that allows you to create a wine glass or perfume bottle that cannot be made in a normal glass blowing experience. Recommended as a gift or souvenir for friends. *This course is slightly more difficult than regular cups. * It is also possible to fine-tune the shape according to the customer's favorite design. Please contact us for more information.
Blowing glass is one of the representative techniques of glass craft, in which breath is blown into a blowing rod to create a glass work. With that skill, you can create your favorite work. For children, we recommend simple courses such as muddler and marbles. For beginners, try the one-flower vase course. For advanced users, the desired design original course. and your request
Tokai blowing glass experience plan
Aichi
[Aichi/Seto] Make one cup in the world "Blowing glass experience" Please come empty-handed!
- 4.4
- (18 reviews and testimonials)
Breathe into the melted glass to make a cup or vase. Glass melted at over 1000 degrees is wrapped around a stainless steel rod and breathed into it. It is a glass experience that inflates like a balloon and creates a shape. You can enjoy the process together, such as how the shape changes and how the glass hardens after being softened by the heat. it takes a long time to cool down
- 5.0
- (2 reviews and testimonials)
Glass blowing involves wrapping molten glass that has been heated to a high temperature around the tip of a rod and inflating it like a balloon. First choose your favorite color glass, and then the staff will teach you carefully, so anyone over the age of 5 can participate. Also, your one and only cup in the world will be mailed at a later date or
Kansai blowing glass experience plan
Kyoto
- 5.0
- (3 reviews and testimonials)
Choose two colors of your choice and blow melted glass with a burner to make it. It is a full-fledged experience of making two lace-patterned dragonfly balls as decorations. When the glass has cooled, combine the colorful strips and connect them with linen thread to complete! Spend the hot summer cool with handmade wind chimes♪ *Japanese-Speaking Participants Only
- 5.0
- (2 reviews and testimonials)
You can make a stylish reed diffuser with a tiara-like design that will heal you with the scent of your room! Choose your favorite glass color and blow the molten glass with a straw-sized blowing rod to make it. * Comes with a natural stick and fragrant oil so that you can use it immediately! ※Japanese-Speaking Participant
Hyogo
- 5.0
- (1 review and testimonial)
You can enjoy a full blown glass experience in Kita Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. Why don't you make your own original work? You can choose and make your favorite one from cups, tumblers, sake cups, vase, vessels, etc. Both children and adults can feel free to make only one original glass in the world. Unique to Fragile
Okinawa blowing glass experience plan
main island
Ishigaki Island
- 4.1
- (23 reviews and experiences)
You can make only one piece of Ryukyu glass in the world using the old-fashioned blowing method! The Ryukyu glass we make is Ryukyu glass made from waste bottles such as awamori bottles. You can make glasses made with the same method as Ryukyu glass that was made in Okinawa in the old days. However, rather than just blowing into the glass, you can experience the various processes yourself.
