Glass "YOBITUGI" Tea Bowl [Name: Kōetsu Ryūsui] (5th Generation Tatsumura Heizō × Nishinaka Yukito)

We are pleased to present a collaborative work by Heizo Tatsumura V and glass artist Yukito Nishinaka.
This unique creation brings together the philosophy of Heizo Tatsumura V—"The Dynamic Spirit and Liberation of Japanese Aesthetics"—and Yukito Nishinaka's artistic vision of "Destruction and Rebirth." Entitled "Koetsu Ryusui", this one-of-a-kind work takes the form of a bowl designed for serving cold tea. Its design draws inspiration from the swirling water motifs (Tomoe-mizu) found in the decorative papers of the celebrated Koetsu Utai-bon, exquisite Noh chant manuscripts created by Hon'ami Koetsu. These flowing patterns evoke the gentle movement of water, while the shimmering reflections of light upon its surface are beautifully reinterpreted through Nishinaka's signature Glass Yobitsugi technique, creating a truly one-of-a-kind work of art.

Glass Yobitsugi is a unique technique in which the artist intentionally breaks a hand-crafted glass vessel and reconnects the fragments using molten glass. The concept is inspired by traditional Japanese restoration techniques such as Kintsugi, in which broken ceramics are repaired with lacquer, and Yobitsugi, where fragments from different ceramic pieces are joined together with lacquer to create an entirely new work. Reimagined in glass, this process transforms destruction into renewal, giving each piece an unrepeatable character.

■ Glass Artist – Yukito Nishinaka
Working under the theme of "The Brilliance of Life, Rebirth, and the Eternal Cycle," Yukito Nishinaka creates glass artworks inspired by the timeless aesthetics of Japan. His signature series include Glass Yobitsugi, in which shattered glass is reconstructed into new forms, and Glass Karesansui, expressing the eternal cycle of the universe and life through glass. Using recycled glass as his primary medium, Nishinaka explores the transformative nature of glass—breaking, melting, and reconnecting—to express a world of renewal, continuity, and perpetual circulation.

Official Website of Glass Artist Yukito Nishinaka
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Please note that this piece is not made of heat-resistant glass. It is intended for serving cold tea only. To prevent damage, please do not pour hot liquids into the vessel or use hot water when cleaning.