15｜History of Glass: Glass Manufacturing in Japan, Part 8

In the Meiji era, government-sponsored factories were established across Japan to promote industry and strengthen national power. The introduction of foreign technologies and experts transformed Japan into a modern nation with modern industries.

Regarding the glass industry, the government-operated Shinagawa Glass Manufacturing Plant was established in 1876. It incorporated modern technologies to produce new types of glass, but ultimately lost out in price competition with private glass factories. In 1885, it was sold off to the private sector for a pittance.

Katsuzo Nishimura, who acquired the plant, traveled to Europe to inspect glass factories in various countries. He was particularly impressed by the manufacturing methods of the Siemens bottle-making factory in Germany. He then dispatched engineers to Germany to learn how to build kilns and glass manufacturing techniques, and purchased blowing molds and machinery from Germany. In 1889, he began producing beer bottles using a kiln with 10 crucibles. Prior to this, beer was sold in ceramic bottles, as seen in posters displayed in izakaya by beer manufacturers. The development of the glass industry in the Meiji era and the beer we enjoy daily had such a close relationship.

However, due to overproduction by various companies leading to increased inventory, rising raw material prices, and a decline in beer demand caused by an economic recession, Nishimura's factory was dissolved in 1892.

In the mid-Meiji period, glass factories were successively established in Osaka, Kawasaki, Shiba (Tokyo), and Onahama (Fukushima Prefecture), producing plate glass, glassware, and glass bottles. Unfortunately, few of them lasted long due to immature technology, quality issues, price problems, and oversupply.

However, it is undeniable that the skilled artisans who worked in these factories and honed their techniques later became independent and, through the transmission of their expertise, laid the foundation for Japan's glass industry.

In the mid to late Meiji period, it is said that approximately 50 glass factories were operating in Tokyo, 100 in Osaka, and over 30 in Nagoya. The late Meiji period was a tumultuous era marked by the rise and fall of many glass factories.

From the late Meiji period to the Taisho period, there was a dramatic increase in glass factories and significant advancements in technology, leading to the substantial development of the glass industry.

Shinagawa Glass Manufacturing Plant of the Ministry of Industry | Meiji-mura Museum