These glass cups were made at Glass Studio Hiro by Heijin Yaga, in central Okinawa.

Working in Ryukyu Glass, Yaga specialises in infusing his hand blown pieces with colour and life. He does this by recycling material from coloured bottles, and through stained glass among other techniques. The result are pieces that have a strong identity and colour that is routed in the Okinawa decorative tradition. Yaga himself trained with the Ryukyu Glass master Seikichi Inamine for eight years, before establishing his studio in the late 1990s.

These glasses are in Yaga’s ‘flowing cloud’ pattern, with texture and vibrant colour. In Okinawa it is common to drink the local spirit: awamori, from such coloured Ryukyu glass. But with their tall sides these could be a vessel for cold drinks on a summer’s day.

As each glass is hand made they differ in pattern and dimensions. However, as a guide they are around 9.7cm in height, and 8cm in diameter.  They weigh about 220g.