"TSUCHI-YA" handles 1000 types of glass products and also develops original products. Komazaki, who is in charge of development and manufacturing, is a former bag craftsman. He will talk about his thoughts on glass products as a creator. 
Q: How did you go from being a school bag maker to being a glass craftsman?
Komazaki: First of all, I love using my hands to make things. So I wanted to work in a position where I could be involved in the process of creating any product, whether it was a bag, glass, or any material! I joined Tsuchiya Kaban, attracted by the more than 150 parts and 300 handiwork that go into making a school bag. From there, I was introduced to Kenichiro Omoto of the Tokyo Glass Crafts Institute, who taught me about Kiriko techniques, after the company publicly advertised for a position in the Kiriko business. Now, he consults me on all things glass.
The cut glass products of TSUCHI-YA's original product brand "Muromachi Glass Crafts" are manufactured by Edo Kiriko craftsmen, based on designs that Komazaki has repeatedly prototyped. Following the planning and design direction of brand manager Sano, Komazaki draws sketches and creates prototypes dozens of times the number of actual products. These are then further refined by the skills of Edo Kiriko craftsmen. Komazaki studied architecture, so he is unique in being able to draw blueprints to explain designs to craftsmen. Muromachi Glass Crafts is characterized by its highly complex construction, which impresses Edo Kiriko craftsmen who say, "We would never normally make such complex designs ourselves."
Komazaki: My role at TSUCHI-YA is product development and prototyping, but I also work in the store with the purchasing and PR members. I can directly communicate the appeal of the products I have helped develop, and I believe that hearing feedback from customers is an essential part of "manufacturing." Currently, in addition to Kiriko, I am also in charge of manufacturing water bottles and wine glasses using a technique called sandblasting, and designing glass pens. When a customer chooses a product that I have finished with my own hands, I feel incredibly happy, and it is a moment when I think that I am really glad that I chose this job.
At Tsuchiya Kaban, each department, including product, manufacturing, and stores, delivers products with a sense of responsibility. Meanwhile, TSUCHI-YA is a small brand made up of volunteers from Tsuchiya Kaban. Members with backgrounds in manufacturing management, production management, and business planning work together in new roles. Another feature of TSUCHI-YA is that it stocks a large number of works by artists. Members like Komazaki who can empathize with the thoughts of the "makers" become "connectors" who convey the appeal of the products, helping to add color to our customers' lives. We look forward to your visit.
Yutaro Komazaki
After working at the Nishiarai workshop of Tsuchiya Bag Manufacturing Co., Ltd., where he was involved in the manufacture of school bags, he joined Muromachi Glass Crafts. He is currently in charge of purchasing Kiriko products and product development for TSUCHI-YA originals and Muromachi Glass Crafts. He majored in architecture at university. His hobby is walking.
