fresco's studio in Izumi City, Osaka Prefecture, is located in the mountains along the Wakayama Prefecture side.
Many of you may have seen the "kasumi" series of vessels with black rims in interior design stores. This time, I visited to request that TSUCHI-YA handle their products.

fresco is a glass studio in Izumi, Osaka, headed by glass artist Tsuyoshi Tsujino. Based on over 20 years of blown glass techniques, they achieve both "brand reliability" and the "unique charm of handmade one-of-a-kind pieces."

Everyone working at the studio, including Mr. Kitazawa, who greeted us, has experience with blown glass. Before my visit, my impression was strongly focused on "that famous vessel," but after actually speaking with them at the production site and holding each vessel in my hands, my impression changed. The glass born from careful craftsmanship embodies the individuality of each creator.

Popular vessels are produced by multiple people, but the quality standards of the studio are strict, and inspections are thorough. Nevertheless, slight individual differences inherent in blown glass remain.

In addition to the "fresco" signature, the finished works are marked with an alphabet derived from the creator's name. Apparently, some fans even choose their creator based on these small marks.

At TSUCHI-YA, we will start by handling fresco's standard vessels, and we also plan to commission original vessels. I had the opportunity to view the colored glass samples in a corner of the studio. Even with the same color, the expression changes greatly depending on the composition and layering, and holding them in my hands sparked new ideas for vessels.

Summer brings many glass exhibitions, and recently I've had many opportunities to meet with creators. Each time I learn about the background of their work and their passion, I am reminded of how happy I am to be able to share their charm with you all.
It has become very hot. Our shop is also cool, and we look forward to your visit.

Text: Mai Yamamoto Photo: Hirotsugu Sano