{"product_id":"hokuyo-glass-japan-xl-art-glass-21-centrepiece-in-blue-green-pink","title":"Hokuyo Glass (Japan) XL Art Glass 21\" Centrepiece, in Blue\/Green\/Pink *RARE FIND*","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"large-row large-row-under  product-description__no-expand\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"tab1\" class=\"rte rte--expanded-images clearfix row tab-content tab-content--active  product-description__no-expand\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHokuyo Glass\u003c\/strong\u003e was established in 1949 in the Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost region of Japan's main island. The company initially built its reputation not on decorative art glass, but as a manufacturer of glass fishing floats, known as \u003ci\u003eukidama\u003c\/i\u003e. By 1973, their superior \u003ci\u003eChubuki\u003c\/i\u003e (free-blowing) craftsmanship made them the top producer of glass floats in all of Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA major turning point in the company's design history was the \"Accidental Green.\" According to brand lore, an artisan decided to mix a handful of sand from the local Shichiri-Nagahama beach into the glass melt. The specific minerals in the sand reacted, turning the transparent glass a brilliant, deep green. Because their remote geographic location made it difficult to import pre-coloured glass, this discovery sparked an obsession with bespoke colour formulation, prompting Hokuyo to mix all their own vibrant colours in-house.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWhen plastic began replacing glass in the fishing industry, Hokuyo pivoted. Utilising their traditional glassblowing techniques, the artisans began crafting heavy, colourful art glass and home decor. During the mid-century export boom of the 1960s and 1970s, their high-quality pieces were frequently distributed worldwide under the \u003ci\u003eKamei Glass\u003c\/i\u003e branding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis dedication to handmade craftsmanship eventually led to the launch of their famous \u003ci\u003e‘Tsugaru Vidro’ \u003c\/i\u003eline in 1977. Today, Hokuyo Glass (now operating under the \u003ci\u003eIshizuka Glass Group\u003c\/i\u003e) boasts over 100 proprietary colour recipes, with their vibrant, hand-blown pieces officially designated as a Traditional Craft of Aomori Prefecture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTHIS LISTING\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel\u003c\/strong\u003e Centrepiece \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour(s)\u003c\/strong\u003e Sky Blue, Green, Cranberry Pink\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e 1960\/70s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e 14.5cm tall, 53cm (21\") long, 18cm wide\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent condition with no chips, cracks or major scratches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hokuyo Glass","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44123274412199,"sku":"IH586","price":1.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0405\/5839\/5559\/files\/IMG_5263_182268df-776f-45f0-b8e3-087f92dc69cc.jpg?v=1718535307","url":"https:\/\/thatretropiece.com\/products\/hokuyo-glass-japan-xl-art-glass-21-centrepiece-in-blue-green-pink","provider":"That Retro Piece","version":"1.0","type":"link"}