42｜History of Glass: Japanese Glass Manufacturers and Handmade Glass Factories 12

Happy New Year to everyone.

Since the beginning of the year, we've been experiencing unsettling events such as the Noto Earthquake, the JAL accident, and other dark incidents.

The Noto Earthquake, in particular, has caused immense damage to our fellow manufacturers, Wajima-nuri lacquerware artisans and sake breweries. Even two weeks later, the detailed situation remains unclear, causing us great anxiety. We are providing support in any way we can, but I believe that recovery within six months to a year will be difficult. I intend to continue providing long-term support for five or ten years.

Soga Glass made great strides by specializing in pressed glass products such as plates and bowls, with exports to America and the Middle East being a major driving force.

In 1985 (Showa 60), a large melting furnace was introduced at the Komaki factory in Aichi Prefecture. In conjunction with conventional automation equipment, they began manufacturing large plates over 30 cm in diameter, large bowls, and vases over 30 cm tall. In 1988 (Showa 63), offices were opened in London and New York. Additionally, they exhibited at "Frankfurt Messe," the world's largest lifestyle show held annually in Frankfurt, Germany, and significantly expanded sales to the global market.

The Rose Series, in particular, featuring a rose pattern, became a tremendous hit in the global market due to its wide variety of products, including small bowls, large plates, large bowls, oval plates, punch bowl sets, and coffee mugs, as well as a wide range of processing variations such as plain, sandblasted, luster, and metal rim.

As I mentioned in the history of Kimoto Glass, it sold like hotcakes even at US military bases in Japan, and we repeatedly received orders from customers and shipped them. It is no exaggeration to say that Kimoto Glass today exists thanks to this product, a memorable item that sold so well.

In America, it was sold under the MIKASA brand. MIKASA is a marketing company and, like Kimoto Glass, operates as a fabless company, planning and developing products under the MIKASA brand, manufacturing them at the best sourcing locations worldwide, and selling them primarily in the American market. From 1990 to 2000, Soga Glass became the main supplier of glass, and the Rose Series was sold in large quantities in the American market, marking a period of significant growth for Soga Glass.

In Japan, along with domestic distributor circulation, sales as a subcontractor, such as OEM supply to HOYA Crystal, were the main focus until the 1980s. However, in 1987 (Showa 62), they established their direct sales companies, SOGA and Etoile Soga, and began direct sales to domestic authorized dealers.