[Case Study] Stained glass from Japan, just like a painting itself, brought to Paris

Did you know that Japan has world-class, highly rare stained glass? What led to the creation of “Maruyoshi Stained Glass Works,” which has its roots in Tokoname ware? Then, we talked to the company that made it about leaving for Paris.

What is “stained glass” in the first place?

When it comes to stained glass, I think many people think of the type where colored glass is connected together with lead to create a pattern.
“The work of connecting fine glass with lead is close to 'glass art'”
Speaking like thatMaruyoshi Co., Ltd.This is Mr. Masayuki Mizuno, the president and representative director of Stained glass means “glass that has been baked and painted,” and the type that is connected with lead mentioned above is exactly “stained glass-like glass art.”

Stained glass production spun with craftsmanship

The company was founded in the Edo period. We started as a pottery business in Tokoname City, and since then, while making use of our technology, we have worked on paper mash, ceramic hina dolls, maki-e, etc., and began making stained glass.
“Maki-e is the process of layering paint on an item, and all of the eyebrows and eyelashes are drawn on the head of a hina doll with a brush. There was a foundation for making detailed things. Stained glass was a product that combined previous manufacturing processes and delicate technology.”
A stained glass painting process where everything is hand painted. What is the actual content?

How to make “baked glass = stained glass”

“First, draw a precise line on the glass with a 'surface brush' suitable for drawing fine lines, then fire it at 600 degrees to fix it. Then, fine colored glass powder is kneaded, applied to the surface of the glass, and then fired. This is “pyrography.” Since the firing temperature differs depending on the color, firing must be repeated for the number of colors. If the temperature is wrong even a little, it will lose its transparency or discolor, and glass has the property of breaking easily when the temperature drops when firing is repeated.”
The more colorful the work, the more work goes hand in hand with rework and damage. At the company, it seems that after trial and error by craftsmen, it is now possible to layer about 3 times more colors than normal. The stained glass, which has cleared all processes, seems like the masterpiece emits light as it is.

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Beautiful Lost Technology

Multiple domestic and international leaders were involved until completion, and it seems that stained glass artist Miyu Tsurumi was responsible for the center, Mizuno said.
Actually, the company produced stained glass between 2003 and 2012, and what they were working on was the previous president who passed away. Since technical matters such as why they do not break even after repeated firing and why colors are fixed have not been handed down, it seems impossible to reproduce them. It means that there are only about 1100 works with the brand name “Maruyoshi Stained Glass Works” that were named after that.

Ukiyo-e x stained glass

“Maruyoshi Stained Glass Works” is particularly impressive for its group of works that reproduce Ukiyo-e.
“Paintings from the time when Ukiyo-e became popular are kept in the dark without being exposed to human eyes or light in order to prevent deterioration. Stained glass lasts 100 or 200 years, so you can always decorate it, and you can also enjoy it as a larger picture by combining it with other stained glass.”
Certainly, church windows contain stained glass with beauty that does not change even after a long period of time in the rain, making use of their strength as both art and building materials.
“After all, beauty stands out when the natural light of the sun shines on it.”
The way the delicate colors sparkle is fantastic.

From Japan to overseas!

Maruyoshi is scheduled to exhibit at “Art Shopping Paris 2024 Fall” to be held in Paris in October this year, and we asked them how they felt.
“Ukiyo-e is very popular overseas, and the European market is particularly overwhelming. So much so that it is said that there are more locations of the original paintings overseas than in Japan.”
I'm worried about how Parisians will react to stained glass originating in Japan.
“I think the venue, which is directly connected to the Louvre Museum, and its ability to attract visitors is amazing. If you don't touch people's eyes, you won't understand the real reaction, and if you don't try it anyway, nothing will start. I would like to know how they will be evaluated”

Japan Promotion plays a part in overseas expansion. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

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