neukyosuke

Ryūkyū glass (琉球ガラス) is the **hand-blown glass tradition of Okinawa** — born in the late Meiji era as a small craft, expanded dramatically after World War II by Okinawan glassblowers who recycled American military beer and soda bottles into hand-blown household ware. The result is glass with characteristic **air bubbles, vivid colors, and thick free-form shapes** unique to Okinawa. Designated **Okinawa Prefecture Traditional Craft** in 1998. **Genka Genkichi (源河源吉)** is one of the most respected modern Ryūkyū glass craftspeople, operating his own workshop in Okinawa. This **'Aranami' (荒波, 'rough waves') Series cobalt tumbler** is a 450 ml hand-blown highball-or-beer glass in his signature deep cobalt blue. At ¥5,288 (≈$35 USD) it is the practical entry to a real named-craftsperson Ryūkyū piece. This guide walks through the **80-year arc** from the postwar Okinawa-glass revival to today's named-craftsperson workshops.