38 | History of Glass: Japanese Glass Manufacturers, Handmade Glass Factories (Part 8)

Hello everyone 🎵

As it says in my profile, I (chuckles) studied hard at Meiji University Attached Meiji High School and then at Meiji University's School of Commerce. Meidai Meiji (as we called it) was an all-boys school back then, located in Ochanomizu, Surugadai. Many of the students were sons of merchants from downtown, especially those from timber wholesalers in Kiba and restaurants in the old town. In 2008 (Heisei 20), it moved from Surugadai to Chofu and became co-educational. Its current偏差値 (academic aptitude score) is 72, and unfortunately, none of our classmates' children have followed in their parents' footsteps and attended Meidai Meiji (chuckles).

Our pride was that our school anthem was the same as Meiji University's. From our high school days, we proudly sang "Shirakumo Nabiku Surugadai ~ Oh Meiji ~". As leaders, it was our role to convey Meiji's school spirit, such as its "quality and steadfastness," as well as its school anthem and cheering songs, to the students who entered after passing their exams.

The reason I'm talking about my alma mater, Meiji, at this particular time is because of our exhilarating victory yesterday, December 3rd, in the university rugby championship against Waseda 🎵. While Teikyo currently dominates the championship group, the traditional Meiji-Waseda match, held annually on the first Sunday of December, attracts one of the largest crowds in Japanese rugby. Every year, passionate cheering leads to intense battles. It was a thrilling rivalry, and yesterday I celebrated with my university classmates 🎵

My preamble got a bit heated and long (my apologies).

Up until last time, I talked about the birth of Sasaki Glass, its rise as a leader in the Japanese glass tableware industry, and its eventual bankruptcy due to reckless management.

From now on, I will be talking about Toyo Glass, which merged with Sasaki Glass Co., Ltd. in 2002 (Heisei 14) to become Toyo-Sasaki Glass Co., Ltd.

Shimada Magoichi, the founder of Toyo Glass, joined the "Shinagawa Glass Manufacturing Plant," which was established by the Meiji government in 1878 (Meiji 11) during Japan's period of civilization and enlightenment, and became the foundation of the modern glass industry. He received instruction from British engineer J. Speight on the production of the latest imported blown glass tableware and sheet glass, and later dedicated himself to spreading this knowledge throughout the country. Shimada not only acquired production skills but also learned the then-secret methods of raw material preparation, building a strong foundational knowledge.

In April 1888 (Meiji 21), he founded Shimada Glass Manufacturing Plant in Kawasaki Village, Nishinari District, Osaka Prefecture (now Nishitenma, Kita Ward, Osaka City). The company produced tableware and lamps utilizing "imported blowing" technology, and its excellent quality led to expanding business. In 1893 (Meiji 26), he acquired a Nippon Glass factory, developing colored glass and transparent baked glass, which further boosted his business. In 1902 (Meiji 35), he finally succeeded in producing sheet glass for the first time in Japan. Subsequently, he gained the acquaintance of Iwasaki Toshiya, the second son of Iwasaki Yanosuke of the Mitsubishi zaibatsu. From the agreement between Iwasaki, who believed that the sheet glass business would become a crucial industry in Japan, and Magoichi, who wanted to establish sheet glass production technology domestically, Osaka Shimada Glass Manufacturing Limited Partnership was established in December 1906 (Meiji 39), with Iwasaki as president and Magoichi as vice president, beginning full-scale sheet glass production. However, due to differences in opinion, Iwasaki parted ways with Shimada and established Asahi Glass, specializing in sheet glass, in Amagasaki. In 1908 (Meiji 41), Shimada resumed glass tableware production in Kitadoshincho, Osaka City. In June 1909 (Meiji 42), he built a new factory incorporating the latest technology in Ebie, Sagisu Town, Nishinari District (now Ebie, Fukushima Ward, Osaka City). The kiln, in particular, was cutting-edge for its time, comparable to those in Germany, and he obtained a patent for it domestically. Thereafter, his business steadily grew, and he was awarded the Ranju Hosho (Blue Ribbon Medal) for his contributions to the development of glass manufacturing.

To be continued