otherJune 25, 2026

Ryukyu Glass

Ryukyu glass (琉球ガラス, also written 琉球硝子 or referred to as Okinawa glass / 沖縄ガラス) is a glassware craft produced mainly on Okinawa Island, Okinawa Prefecture, using hot-work techniques such as glassblowing. It is recognized as a traditional craft and regional brand of Okinawa, and craftspeople working in the tradition have been selected as Contemporary Master Craftspeople (現代の名工).

History

Glass manufacturing in Okinawa is said to have begun in the mid-Meiji period. In 1909, a modern glass factory was built near Okusuyama, Naha, by a merchant from Kagoshima, marking an early stage of organized glass production on the island.

The origins of what is now recognized as Ryukyu glass in its contemporary form date to the period following World War II. Due to severe resource scarcity, glassworkers on Okinawa melted and reused empty bottles — including cola, beer, and Perrier bottles — discarded at US military bases. This practice of working with recycled glass became foundational to the craft's identity.

As refrigerators became widespread, Okinawans began drinking awamori on the rocks, shifting from the traditional vessel known as the karakara to wide-mouthed glass cups. This transition contributed to growing demand for Ryukyu glass, and the craft gained popularity among tourists visiting the prefecture.

Ryukyu Glass Village, located at 169 Fukuji, Itoman City, was founded in 1985 and is described as the largest Ryukyu glass workshop and theme park in Okinawa. In 2020, a facility combining a café and shop called Okinawa Rainbow Street opened at the Village.

The regional designation of Ryukyu glass has been subject to legal scrutiny. On June 18, 2007, the Japan Fair Trade Commission issued an exclusionary order under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations against the Ryukyu Glass Craft Cooperative Association and two other companies, following the use of misleading expressions that suggested Vietnam-made glass was Ryukyu glass produced in Okinawa.

Techniques & Production Process

Ryukyu glass is produced using hot-work techniques, with glassblowing being the primary method. Historically, the craft relied on melting and reforming recycled glass bottles sourced from US military bases in postwar Okinawa. Current production has expanded beyond recycled bottles to also include glassmaking from newly melted raw glass material. The use of recycled glass, particularly colored glass from bottles, contributes directly to the distinctive visual characteristics of finished pieces. Related glass objects produced within the Okinawan tradition include tombo-dama, a type of glass bead unique to Okinawa, and Hotaru glass.

How to Identify Ryukyu Glass

Ryukyu glass is characterized by thick glass walls and a diverse range of colors, including red and green, which derive in part from the original pigmentation of the recycled glass bottles used in production. A further distinguishing feature is the presence of air bubbles introduced into the glass during the recycling process. These bubbles are an inherent result of the material and production method rather than a decorative addition. Related specialty items produced in Okinawa, such as tombo-dama glass beads and Hotaru glass, represent additional identifiable forms within the broader Ryukyu glass tradition.

The Craft Today

Ryukyu glass is recognized as a traditional craft and regional brand of Okinawa Prefecture. Craftspeople working in the tradition have been designated Contemporary Master Craftspeople (現代の名工) by the Japanese government. Production today is centered in the Itoman and Naha areas of Okinawa, with Ryukyu Glass Village in Itoman City serving as a major production and visitor facility since its founding in 1985. Current production methods encompass both the use of recycled glass and newly melted raw glass material, reflecting an evolution from the craft's postwar origins. Ryukyu glass is available through specialist retailers including Dentoukougei Aoyama Square, operated by the General Foundation for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries, located at 8-1-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo. As part of the broader landscape of Japanese Traditional Crafts (Other), Ryukyu glass represents one of a number of regionally distinct craft traditions recognized across Japan. Among Japanese glass traditions, Satsuma Kiriko from Kagoshima represents another notable glassworking heritage, employing cut-glass techniques distinct from Okinawa's blown-glass methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Ryukyu glass different from other Japanese glassware?

Ryukyu glass is distinguished by its thick walls, diverse colors such as red and green, and air bubbles that result from the recycling process. Its origins in the reuse of discarded military-base bottles in postwar Okinawa gave the craft its characteristic appearance, which differs from cut-glass traditions such as Satsuma Kiriko.

Is Ryukyu glass still made from recycled bottles?

While the craft originated from melting and reforming recycled glass bottles discarded at US military bases, current production has expanded to include glassmaking from newly melted raw glass material in addition to recycled sources.

Where is Ryukyu glass produced?

Ryukyu glass is produced mainly on Okinawa Island, Okinawa Prefecture, with production centered in the Itoman and Naha areas. Ryukyu Glass Village, located at 169 Fukuji, Itoman City, is described as the largest Ryukyu glass workshop and theme park in Okinawa and was founded in 1985.

What legal protections exist for the Ryukyu glass name?

In 2007, the Japan Fair Trade Commission issued an exclusionary order against the Ryukyu Glass Craft Cooperative Association and two other companies for using misleading expressions that suggested Vietnam-made glass was Okinawa-produced Ryukyu glass. This order was issued on June 18, 2007, under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

What types of products are made under the Ryukyu glass tradition?

Ryukyu glass encompasses a range of glassware items, including drinking cups traditionally used for awamori. Related products produced within the Okinawan glass tradition include tombo-dama, a type of glass bead unique to Okinawa, and Hotaru glass.