Keep it long, treasure it long.

Reflecting the changing seasons in a cup

The tranquility of a snowy landscape, the scent of rain waiting for spring, and the Milky Way traversing the night sky. This is the "12 Months of Sake Cups," capturing the natural beauty and seasonal scenery of Aomori throughout the year.

From January's "Snow Viewing" to December's "Winter Galaxy," each cup embodies the landscapes and atmospheres of the seasons. By picking up each cup and imagining the scenery from its name, you can slowly savor the unique moments of each season.

Enjoying the Seasons Layer by Layer

January's "Snow Viewing" reflects the winter scenery of Aomori covered in deep snow. The delicate white layered with shades of blue and the transparent glass particles reminiscent of frost and ice encapsulate the crisp winter air. February's "Spring Rain" represents the gentle rain that falls after the beginning of spring. The soft-colored glass and the delicate vertical patterns shimmer, evoking the luster of raindrops falling on flowers waiting for spring.

March's "Spring Thunder" captures the rumble of thunder and the flashes of lightning announcing the arrival of spring. The overlapping blue glass and the gold leaf at the bottom depict the powerful yet beautiful essence of spring. April's "Flower Viewing" reflects the splendor of blooming flowers. The vibrant red blended by artisans and the gold leaf at the rim remind us of the gentle spring sunshine. May's "Fresh Green" expresses the scenery of young leaves shining brightly in the light. The gold leaf visible through the bluish-green glass conveys the vitality of early summer trees.

June's "Clear After the Rain" reflects the fleeting moments of sunshine appearing between rain showers. The blue and green glass captures the sparkle of light piercing through the wet scenery and the momentary coolness. July's "Summer Clouds" represents the white clouds floating in the summer sky and the lush green trees. The overlapping blue and green colors unfold a powerful landscape filled with summer light. August's "Milky Way" depicts the scene of stars flowing through the summer night sky. The gold leaf scattered in black and blue glass creates a fantastical shimmering night sky.

September's "Moon Viewing" resembles a cup reflecting the autumn fields illuminated by the full moon. The white patterns floating in amber and green glass resemble the plumes of silver grass swaying in the wind. October's "Autumn Sky" is crafted to evoke the autumn evenings of Japan. The white and brown particles floating in amber-colored glass reflect the clouds tinged with the colors of sunset.

November's "Early Winter" captures the tranquility of the first snowflakes falling on the blooming camellias. The deep red glass and white speckled patterns evoke the serene landscape unique to the beginning of winter. December's "Winter Galaxy" represents the Milky Way spanning the clear winter night sky. The milky white glass and sparkling gold leaf reflect the quiet starry sky amidst the snowy landscape.

Each cup is compact in size, perfectly shaped for savoring sake little by little. While each has its own distinct colors and expressions, together they create a series that conveys the passage of a year.

Warmth of Glass

In 1949, the manufacturer Hokuyo Glass began producing fishing floats, marking the origin of Tsugaru Vidro. The floats blown by Hokuyo Glass gained a reputation for their durability compared to others, achieving the highest production volume in Japan by 1973. Subsequently, utilizing techniques such as "blown glass" honed through years of float production, they began creating handmade glass inspired by the nature of Aomori, leading to the birth of Tsugaru Vidro in 1977. "Blown glass" is a technique where molten glass is attached to a blowpipe, and air is blown from the opposite side to shape it. While it allows for versatile shaping, it also tests the skill of the artisan.

Another characteristic of Tsugaru Vidro is its lustrous colors. The elegant hues reminiscent of Aomori's nature are carefully blended by artisans. Tsugaru Vidro, crafted by artisans who continue to strive for new techniques, has been designated as a traditional craft of Aomori. It possesses both vibrancy and a certain rustic presence, shining with beauty that you want to gaze at forever while blending seamlessly into everyday life.