Edo Glass soy sauce pot making workshop!

<<Yasmin's Experience Report>>

As we entered “The Glass Lab” our host, Takayuki Shiina, greeted us warmly. I looked around and saw beautiful glass ornaments dotted around. There were colorful paper weights in the shape of apples, photo holders and cute glasses with various delicate designs decorating their exterior.Takayuki-san gave a tour of his workshop. It was filled with wooden machinery, ropes, turntables, cogs and wheels. He joked about how we were entering Howl’s moving castle from the Studio Ghibli movie. Absorbing my surroundings I couldn’t deny that it certainly had that fantasy aesthetic.Apparently this style of workshop originating from Edo period was quite a rarity now, we were truly lucky to experience this traditional system!

We were each offered a glass bottle of our choice in either clear or pink. The bottles could be used as soy sauce holders or containers for oils and sauces. Our goal was to file an opening just large enough for the bottle top to fit into. 

I picked up a pink colored bottle and watched Takayuki-san demonstrate how to operate the machine. As he turned on the machine it whirred into life. Slowly he motioned the drill bit downwards into the glass. A tube beside the table poured water inside it. He explained this was to regulate the glass temperature. Expertly he finished the bottle and demonstrated how perfectly the top fitted and we watched as a successful stream of water flowed out as he tipped it.

Next it was my turn. I nervously took over the machine and pulled the drill bit downward. I can be a klutz and worried I’d shatter the glass or worse. However Takayuki-san stood beside me and kindly complimented my skills (my incredibly slow and steady skills haha).

What a lovely experience. Honestly, it was worth it for the workshop tour alone! The gorgeous glass bottle now features on my kitchen table top looking lovely and professionally finished, if I do say so myself. Do make sure to visit the Glass Lab! It’s a fun activity with a very talented instructor.

If you would like to have this experience, you can reserve through Edo Glass soy sauce pot making workshop