Description

Xandre Store Exclusive - A Distinguished Contemporary Okinawan Hand-Blown Glass Work by Takumi Matsumuro

1. Artist: Takumi Matsumuro (松室 巧)
2. Studio: Ryukyu Glass Takumi Kōbō (琉球ガラス たくみ工房)
3. Acquisition Location: Onna Village, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
4. Category: Okinawan Hand-Blown Glass | Fine Art Sake Cup (Guinomi / Choko) | Collector Studio Glass
5. Craft Tradition: 宙吹ガラス (Chūfuki — free-form mouth-blown glass)

This Earth Edition hand-blown Okinawan Ryukyu glass sake cup (Guinomi / Choko) by Takumi Matsumuro (松室 巧) captures the visual energy of Okinawa's deep ocean through a compact, sculptural form. Vivid cobalt blue and lapis tones move through the vessel in sweeping currents, contrasted by optic-white passages reminiscent of breaking surf and illuminated sea foam. Fine internal bubbles add another layer of depth, scattering light through the glass as the cup is rotated or filled.

The gently flared rim transitions into a rounded, weighted body that sits comfortably in the hand, making the piece equally suited to sake or awamori service and collector display.

Created through the traditional Chūfuki free-form mouth-blown process, the cup retains the subtle variations characteristic of individually worked glass. The relationship between color, bubbles, form and light gives the vessel its own visual identity. The underside bears an identifying impressed studio/maker's mark, providing an important physical provenance element associated with the work.

Takumi Matsumuro - Contemporary Okinawan Glassmaking

Takumi Matsumuro (松室 巧) is presented with this work as the named artisan associated with the piece and Takumi Kōbō. The work belongs to the broader tradition of Okinawan Chūfuki glass, in which molten glass is gathered and shaped by hand through blowing, rotation, reheating and continuous manipulation. This approach allows the artisan to work directly with the material rather than relying on standardized industrial production. Variations in color placement, internal bubbles, contours and surface movement are therefore part of the character of individually hand-crafted glass. For the final collector listing, any specific professional designation or award attributed directly to Matsumuro should be supported by the accompanying artist or studio documentation for this work.

Deep Ocean Swirl Composition

The visual character of this Earth Edition cup comes from the interaction of three primary elements.

Cobalt & Lapis Currents: Deep blue glass moves through the body in organic, wave-like formations, creating the impression of underwater depth and movement.

Optic-White Sea Foam: Contrasting white glass breaks through the darker blue field, producing a visual rhythm reminiscent of foam illuminated by sunlight.

Internal Bubble Formations: Small bubbles suspended within the glass create optical variation and additional depth, particularly when light passes through the vessel.

Together, these elements create a compact composition that changes subtly according to lighting, viewing angle and the color of the beverage served within it.

Chūfuki - Free-Form Hand-Blown Glass

Chūfuki (宙吹き) is a free-form mouth-blown glassmaking technique in which the artisan gathers molten glass and shapes it through controlled blowing, rotation, heating and hand manipulation. Because the glass remains responsive throughout the process, each vessel develops its own combination of proportions, color movement and internal characteristics.

Consequently, no two individually hand-blown cups should be expected to exhibit precisely identical swirl patterns, bubble formations or color distribution.

A Sake Cup Designed as a Small Sculpture

While its primary form is a Guinomi / Choko, this piece possesses a distinctly sculptural quality.

Its compact proportions make it appropriate for:

1. Premium sake service
2. Awamori tasting
3. Tea and specialty beverage presentation
4. Okinawan and Japanese craft collections
5. Contemporary glass-art displays
6. Private dining and collector interiors

When not in use, the cup can be displayed as a small-format studio-glass artwork.

Premium Highlights

1. Artist: Takumi Matsumuro (松室 巧)
2. Studio: Takumi Kōbō (たくみ工房)
3. Acquisition: Onna Village, Okinawa
4. Technique: Free-form mouth-blown glass (Chūfuki)
5. Form: Guinomi / Choko sake cup
6. Palette: Deep cobalt blue, lapis and sea-foam white
7. Surface Character: Organic color movement and internal bubble formations
8. Marking: Identifying impressed studio/maker's mark on base
9. Series: Earth Edition
10. Character: Individually hand-crafted studio glass

Curator's Note

This Earth Edition sake cup offers an intimate expression of Okinawa through glass. Deep cobalt and lapis currents evoke the depth and movement of the surrounding ocean, while contrasting white passages suggest sunlight breaking through sea foam.

Its compact scale makes the work particularly engaging in the hand, where the weight, contours and changing transparency become part of the experience. At the same time, its sculptural color composition allows it to stand confidently as a collectible studio-glass object when displayed.

Dimensions & Physical Specifications

Estimated Studio Proportions

Collector-listing note: These dimensions are currently estimated. For the final Xandre Store page, I recommend physically measuring the individual cup and replacing these ranges with exact measurements. That is especially worthwhile for a premium collector piece.

Care Instructions

1. Hand wash gently with lukewarm water and mild soap.
2. Use a soft microfiber cloth or non-abrasive sponge.
3. Avoid abrasive cleaners and scouring pads.
4. Do not place in a dishwasher.
5. Do not microwave.
6. Do not use with boiling liquids.
7. Avoid sudden temperature changes or thermal shock.
8. Handle carefully when moving or transporting the piece.

Shipping & International Delivery

Domestic Japan: The cup should be carefully packed using protective, impact-resistant materials and shipped by an insured service appropriate for fragile studio glass.

International: International delivery can be arranged where available, using protective packaging and insured transportation appropriate to the piece. International customers are responsible for any applicable customs duties, import taxes, VAT/GST, brokerage fees and other destination-country charges.

Provenance & Collector Documentation

For the Xandre Store archive and product page, retain photographs of:

1. The complete sake cup
2. Front and rear views
3. Detailed views of the cobalt, lapis and white glass movement
4. Close-ups of the internal bubble formations
5. The underside and impressed studio/maker's mark
6. The acquisition location at Takumi Kōbō
7. Any original studio documentation or packaging accompanying the piece

If the accompanying documentation specifically identifies Takumi Matsumuro (松室 巧) as the artisan, that documentation should be retained as part of the item's provenance record.

Specifications

Xandre Store

Connecting global collectors with the heritage, craftsmanship, and stories behind exceptional Japanese and Okinawan studio art.

One change I would definitely make from your original: remove “Investment studio art for global collectors” from the meta description. It is much stronger from an e-commerce/collector perspective to describe the actual artistic attributes—Earth Edition, cobalt/lapis ocean movement, bubbles, Chūfuki technique and studio mark-rather than making an investment claim.