Description

Xandre Store Exclusive - A Distinctive Work from the Inamine Family Tradition of Contemporary Ryukyu Glass

Artist: Shoichi Inamine (稲嶺 尚)

Studio Tradition: Chu-Fuki Glass Studio “Niji” (宙吹ガラス工房「虹」)

Origin: Yomitan Village, Okinawa, Japan

Category: Okinawan Hand-Blown Glass | Fine Art Rock Cup | Studio Tableware

Craft Tradition: 宙吹ガラス (Chūfuki Glass)

Description

This captivating Ryukyu hand-blown rock cup by Shoichi Inamine (稲嶺 尚) presents a vibrant interpretation of Okinawa's evening landscape, combining intense ruby red, luminous amber-gold, and intricate crackle texture within a compact sculptural form. Working within the influential Inamine family glassmaking tradition, Shoichi Inamine represents a later expression of the artistic lineage established around Chu-Fuki Glass Studio “Niji” (宙吹ガラス工房「虹」) in Yomitan Village.

The vessel immediately draws attention through its dramatic color transition. A deep ruby-red upper rim descends into a brilliant golden-amber body, producing a palette reminiscent of the final light of an Okinawan sunset. Across the lower section, an intricate network of crackle lines transforms the otherwise luminous yellow glass into a richly textured surface.

As light passes through the crackled structure, the surface takes on constantly changing highlights and reflections, giving the vessel an almost flame-like visual movement. The base carries an impressed 「尚」 (Sho) studio mark, providing an important physical identifying feature associated with Shoichi Inamine's work.

Shoichi Inamine - Continuing the Inamine Glassmaking Tradition

Shoichi Inamine (稲嶺 尚) represents an important continuation of the Inamine family's contribution to Okinawan studio glass. Working within the environment and artistic tradition associated with Chu-Fuki Glass Studio “Niji”, his work carries forward the fundamental Okinawan approach of free-hand glassblowing (chūfuki) while emphasizing rich coloration, tactile surfaces, and individually formed vessels.

The Inamine tradition is particularly notable for its connection to the development of contemporary Ryukyu glass in Yomitan Village. Rather than treating glass simply as a transparent utilitarian material, the family tradition embraces its capacity for color, texture, movement, translucency, and sculptural form. This rock cup reflects that philosophy in a particularly vivid way.

The Inamine Family Glassmaking Heritage

The Inamine name holds an important place within Okinawa's contemporary glassmaking landscape. The artistic lineage associated with Seikichi Inamine (稲嶺 盛吉) and Chu-Fuki Glass Studio “Niji” helped establish Yomitan as a significant center for Okinawan studio glass.

Within this family tradition, individual makers retain their own identifying characteristics and markings. The impressed 「尚」 mark on this vessel is therefore particularly important from a collector's perspective, distinguishing this piece as associated with Shoichi Inamine rather than simply presenting it as an unsigned example of the broader Inamine tradition.

Ruby, Amber & Flame

The color composition is the defining visual feature of this work.

Ruby: The upper rim is saturated with a deep crimson-ruby tone, creating an immediate sense of richness and depth.

Amber: Moving downward, the color transitions into warm amber-yellow and honey-gold tones.

Flame: The combination of ruby and amber creates a visual impression similar to a flame or the final glow of sunset.

Crackle: The lower surface interrupts this smooth color field with an intricate network of crackle lines, causing light to scatter across the body and emphasizing the dimensionality of the glass. Together, these elements give the cup an unusually warm and energetic presence.

Ice-Crackle Surface

The lower portion displays an intricate crackle-glass treatment (ヒビ加工), producing a fine network of lines across the exterior. This textured surface provides a dramatic contrast to the smoother ruby-colored upper rim. Rather than simply reflecting light from a uniform surface, the crackled area breaks and redirects illumination across countless individual facets, creating an almost crystalline appearance. The effect changes according to viewing angle and surrounding light, making the vessel particularly rewarding to examine closely.

Traditional Chūfuki Craftsmanship

The cup reflects the Okinawan tradition of 宙吹き (Chūfuki), or free-hand glassblowing.

Each vessel is individually shaped by the artisan rather than produced through standardized industrial manufacturing. This process allows subtle variations in contour, thickness, coloration, crackle pattern, and decorative placement. Such variation is an inherent characteristic of studio glass and contributes to the individuality of each piece.

The 「尚」 Studio Mark

An especially important collector feature is the impressed marking on the base:

「尚」 - Sho

The mark is physically impressed into the bottom of the vessel and provides an important identifying characteristic associated with Shoichi Inamine. For collector documentation, Xandre Store recommends preserving detailed photographs of the base and the impressed marking alongside the listing and provenance information. The presence of the physical mark significantly strengthens the item's identification within the Inamine family studio tradition, while attribution should remain distinguished from independent third-party certification unless such certification accompanies the piece.

Collector Significance

This rock cup is compelling precisely because it combines functional Japanese craft with a highly expressive artistic surface. Its compact form makes it suitable for use as a drinking vessel, yet the rich ruby-and-amber palette, crackle treatment, substantial hand-blown character, and identifying 「尚」 mark give it the presence of a collectible studio-art object. For collectors of Okinawan glass, Japanese studio craft, and the Inamine family tradition, the piece offers a tangible connection to the continuing development of contemporary Ryukyu glassmaking in Yomitan.

Premium Highlights

1. Shoichi Inamine (稲嶺 尚)
2. Inamine family studio glassmaking tradition
3. Associated with the Chu-Fuki Glass Studio “Niji” (宙吹ガラス工房「虹」) tradition
4. Origin: Yomitan Village, Okinawa
5. Traditional Okinawan 宙吹き (Chūfuki) hand-blown construction
6. Impressed 「尚」 (Sho) studio mark
7. Deep ruby-red upper rim
8. Brilliant amber-gold lower body
9. Honey-gold tonal transitions
10. Intricate ヒビ加工 crackle-glass surface
11. Light-diffusing and refractive textured exterior
12. Sculptural, tactile rock-cup form
13. Individual hand-crafted character
14. Distinctive Okinawan sunset-inspired palette
15. Functional vessel with fine-art qualities
16. One-of-a-kind visual character inherent to studio production

Curator’s Note

This rock cup possesses a particularly warm and energetic character. The deep ruby upper rim immediately establishes a sense of intensity, while the golden amber body appears to glow from within. Across the lower section, the crackle structure breaks that warmth into hundreds of subtle points of reflected light. The effect is reminiscent of an Okinawan sunset captured in glass-deep red at the horizon, golden light across the water, and a textured coastline beneath.

What makes the composition especially successful is the contrast between the smooth upper glass and intricate crackled lower body. One portion invites the eye to move across its uninterrupted color; the other rewards close inspection of its complex surface. The impressed 「尚」 mark provides an additional collector dimension, giving the individual vessel a tangible identifying feature within the Inamine family glassmaking tradition.

Specifications

Care Instructions

1. Hand wash gently using lukewarm water and mild dish soap.
2. Avoid abrasive sponges, brushes, and harsh chemical cleaners.
3. Do not place in a dishwasher.
4. Do not use in a microwave or freezer.
5. Avoid sudden temperature changes, including boiling liquids or ice-cold water.
6. Handle carefully around the crackled exterior.
7. Dry with a soft, non-abrasive cloth.
8. Display or store securely on a stable, level surface.

Because traditional hand-blown glass can be sensitive to thermal shock, gradual temperature changes are strongly recommended.

Shipping & International Orders

Domestic shipping within Japan is available with protective packaging specifically selected for delicate studio glass. International orders may be subject to shipping charges, import duties, VAT, GST, customs fees, brokerage charges, or other destination-country taxes. All applicable destination-country charges are the responsibility of the recipient. Due to the individually crafted nature and fragility of this work, international shipping arrangements should be confirmed with Xandre Store prior to purchase.

A Flame of the Ryukyu Sunset

This Shoichi Inamine rock cup captures a distinctly warmer side of contemporary Okinawan glass. The ruby-red rim evokes the final moments of sunset. The amber-gold body recalls the glow of the Okinawan horizon, while the intricate crackle surface transforms the lower vessel into a field of shimmering, fractured light. Together, the colors and textures create an object that feels simultaneously fiery and serene, tactile and luminous, functional and sculptural. With its identifiable 「尚」 studio marking and connection to the Inamine family tradition, this piece offers collectors an intimate example of the continuing artistic heritage of Ryukyu hand-blown glass.

Xandre Store

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