"Glass works that tickle your heart and make you smile" created by Yuko Matsushita, a glass artist from Tajimi City.

Yuko Matsushita (glass artist / Tickle glass) creates cute glass works with colorful colors and faces. All of Ms. Matsushita's works are very lovely and exciting.

This time, we visited Ms. Matsushita's atelier where her works are created, and asked her about the reasons why she became a glass artist and the thoughts she puts into her craftsmanship.

We visited Ms. Matsushita's atelier "Tickle glass" in Tajimi City. At the workshop, you can not only create works, but also experience making glass stamps and blowing glass.

Life Designs

2020.07.30

Glass blowing experience at the glass studio "Tickleglass" in Tajimi City

https://life-designs.jp/webmagazine/tickleglass_workshop

ドロドロに溶けた熱いガラスに息をふ〜っと吹き込み形をつくる「吹きガラス体験」。いつかは挑戦してみたいなという方も多いのではないでしょうか？そんな吹きガラス体験ができるのが、岐阜県多治見市にある「Tickleglass（ティクルグラス）」。ガラス作家として活動されている松下祐子さんの工房です。今回は、Tickleglassにて人生初となる吹きガラスにチャレンジしてきました！ 22歳のおばあちゃん看板猫のマツちゃんがお出迎えしてくれました！さっそくTickleglassにやってきました。場所は、中央自動車道多治見インターより車で約1...

Matsushita's humorous works are lined up all over the wall.

Ms. Matsushita's beloved cat "Matsu-chan" is 22 years old. She watchs Ms. Matsushita as she works hard in her atelier.

From kindergarten teacher to glass artist

Yuko Matsushita. Born in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture. In 2015, she opened a studio and gallery “Tickle glass” in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture. A glass artist based in Tajimi City who works all over the country.

First, we asked Ms. Matsushita what inspired her to become a glass artist.

Ms. Matsushita: "I was originally a kindergarten teacher in Ibaraki Prefecture. Although I was interested in glass making from that time, there were no schools in Ibaraki Prefecture where I could learn about glass. I searched for a place where I could learn while working. What I found was the Tokyo Glass Art Institute, which was in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture at the time. As a beginner, I decided to attend a weekend course once a week.

I also visited the "Niijima International Glass Art Festival" held in Niijima, one of the Izu Islands. The entire island of Niijima is made up of vitreous volcanic rocks, and because of the vitreous sand that can be mined, glass is a specialty of the island.

Every year in November, they invite famous glass artists from Japan and abroad to hold workshops. One day, I had the opportunity to speak with a glass artist from Aichi Prefecture on the ferry heading to Niijima. I heard from him that a glass studio in Mie was looking for people, so I decided to apply. ”

They look like art objects, but they are all made-to-order stamps (regular size starting from 13,000 yen (excluding tax) each *includes main body + 1 character or 1 design).

Ms. Matsushita: "However, when I applied, it was already full....Then I was told that there were no vacancies at the moment, but the souvenir shop inside the facility was looking for people, so why not?" While I was waiting for the studio to open, I decided to work as a staff member at the souvenir shop. After work, I was allowed to practice blowing glass on my own in the glass studio. Since then, I have worked as a workshop staff and made glass souvenirs.

After that, I worked as an assistant at a glass artist in Seto to learn how to make glass in a private studio. That person is the glass artist I met on the ferry heading to Niijima. He really taught me a lot.

I had a dream to have my own workshop in the future, so I worked for a company after that in order to secure funds. On my days off, I used to rent a kiln at a glass studio and create works. The company I worked for had absolutely nothing to do with manufacturing, so at first I planned to quit after about four years, but I was blessed with good friends at work, so I ended up working there for nearly 15 years, including part-time jobs. It took a long time, but thanks to my long work, I was able to set up a house and a workshop. ”

Aiming for an atelier that tickles the heart

Ms. Matsushita realized what she wanted to do little by little, even if it took time. After many twists and turns, in 2015, she opened the studio and gallery "tickle glass".

-Is there a reason why you chose Tajimi as your atelier?

Ms. Matsushita: "When I was looking for land to set up a workshop, I thought I would go to Aichi Prefecture, where I was used to living, but due to the price of the land, I looked for it in Gifu Prefecture, the new world. One of the three options was here.

It is also a production area for Mino-yaki and has an understanding of manufacturing, so it was perfect for glass production. I liked the fact that it was easy to walk from the station and that it was surrounded by fields and rich in nature, making it a good place for crafting and experiencing things. ”

-Please tell us the thoughts behind the name "tickle glass".

Ms. Matsushita: " As the word 'tickle' means, I aim to create something that tickles the heart. I hope that the experience at the workshop will be an exciting time for our customers as well.

If you look closely, the lighting also has a face. cute!

–How often do you create your works?

Ms. Matsushita: “I hold solo exhibitions and group exhibitions several times a year, so I make works to match those exhibitions. I love things with a face, so when I'm making them, I can't help but want to put some faces on them.The things and shapes I want to make change from time to time, such as flower vases, ornaments, and glasses."

Ms. Matsushita: "Recently, I have been focusing on glasses for daily use as well as art objets. The vivid glass shown here is made with colors and patterns that are not too cute, but rather 'cool and cute.' They may look easy to make, but it takes three times as much time and effort as ordinary glasses.

First, the base glass is made. For coloring, sprinkle powder colored glass to add color. I personally like the shade of the powder color. It is fired with a two-layer structure of inner and outer layers. After that, a pattern is drawn and sandblasted to leave the pattern and scrape off everything else.

The glass is re-filled into the kiln, picked up one by one, and baked on the surface in a gas kiln at 1,200°C to make the frosted glass transparent. It's a long road to completion, but I put my heart and soul into these glasses, hoping they will be used for a long time."

All of Ms. Matsushita's works are truly charming. When they smile at you, you can't help but smile too. Lastly, we asked her about her future plans.

Ms. Matsushita: "There are times when I think, 'Oh, I made a mistake with this color scheme. But when I draw the patterns and faces, the resulting mismatches of colors are fresh and unexpected discoveries are made. I hope that the enjoyment is conveyed to everyone through my work.

There are still many things I would like to do. In the future, I plan to hold more exhibitions, sell my products online, and have a gallery in my studio. I plan to create more opportunities for people to get to know us, so please look forward to them.