From the tranquil shores of Lake Toya to the bustling metropolises of Tokyo and New York, a humble glass maker is making waves with his water-inspired art.
Daisuke Takatomi moved from the Tokyo beachside area of Chiba to Hokkaido 15 years ago to set up a new life on the shores of Lake Toya, just an hour from Niseko. He first learned the art at a specialist glass blowing school, and went on to work at a glass factory before deciding to branch out on his own.
Daisuke Takatomi moved from the Tokyo beachside area of Chiba to Hokkaido 15 years ago to set up a new life on the shores of Lake Toya, just an hour from Niseko. He first learned the art at a specialist glass blowing school, and went on to work at a glass factory before deciding to branch out on his own.
His style is free-form glass blowing, not using any moulds, and his pieces are inspired by water which plays an integral part in his life year round – from the crystal clear waters of the lake, to the various forms of snow, ice and melt throughout winter. Interestingly poetry is also an inspiration for his pieces, and each one is created with a poem in mind.
His most popular pieces are vases, bowls, dishes, glasses and ornaments, including hanging wind chimes which have caught particular attention outside Niseko with exhibitions in Tokyo and this winter in Sapporo. Famous national architect Kengo Kuma has also used Takatomi-san’s glass panel installations in several of his projects.
