Nestled in a traditional folk house in the mountains of eastern Tottori, ukiroosh. is a small glass workshop run by husband-and-wife team Shiro Yano and Yuuki Takenaka. Each brings their unique expertise to the studio, with Yano specializing in laminated sheet glass. By layering and bonding ordinary window glass and mirrors, he skillfully manipulates light’s properties of transmission and reflection to create stunning objects and accessories.

Yano meticulously cuts sheet glass less than 5mm thick using a glass cutter, layers and bonds it, then polishes the pieces with abrasives of varying coarseness to refine their shape. While the process appears simple, the interplay of glass layers and edges reveals intricate and captivating expressions.

His colored accessories are particularly distinctive, as they are not made with colored glass but are hand-tinted with colored pencils, producing a soft, gemstone-like glow. His work pushes the boundaries of this everyday material, exploring innovative forms through traditional techniques.

Originally from Fukuoka, Yano trained at a glassmaking school in Kanagawa before working at a prominent studio in the Hokuriku region, a center of glassmaking excellence. There, he honed his craft, gravitating toward grinding and lamination techniques.

Twenty years ago, Yano and Takenaka moved to Tottori, close to Takenaka’s hometown, and established their workshop. Takenaka, a glass artist specializing in pâte de verre (glass paste technique), joined forces with Yano to launch their brand, ukiroosh. Yano also contributes his expertise to the finishing process of her creations.

The workshop is located in Inaba Saigo Craft Village, a thriving community of artisans specializing in pottery, woodworking, and other crafts. The village hosts collaborative events and supports young artisans, fostering a dynamic hub for both traditional and contemporary craftsmanship.