Hirota Glass

Founded in Tokyo in 1899, Hirota Glass is one of Japan’s most respected heritage glassmakers, dedicated to preserving and reviving traditional Wa-Glass techniques developed during the Meiji and Taishō periods. As industrial production increased in the post-war era, many of these historic methods were at risk of disappearing. In response, Hirota Glass committed itself to research-driven craftsmanship, carefully studying archival pieces and experimenting with forgotten formulas. In the 1980s, the studio succeeded in reviving opalescent glassmaking through years of trial and error, restoring a style that had once defined early-20th-century Japanese tableware.

Today, Hirota Glass continues to bridge past and present—honouring artisanal heritage while designing refined, contemporary pieces that celebrate light, colour, and form. Its work stands as a quiet but powerful testament to Japan’s decorative arts legacy.