Okinawan recycled glass is a type of glass that I like the most. Arter World War II, beer and coke bottles thrown by American soldiers were collected for glass making. They are broken into small pieces, melted, and reshaped into something new. The beauty of the process is that we turn waste glass is into amazing products.
It's like bringing new life into old bottles.

I went to Okinawa for the first time to see a person that I've never met. I saw his work at the library right before graduating from university. I was inspired by the message he put into his work and had a strong urge to create something like his.
Unfortunately, I found out about his death after arriving in Okinawa. Knowing no one in this strange island, I didn't know what to do and was overwhelmed.

I have always been interested in art and creative activities since I was a child. I majored in oil painting at college and mainly worked on portraits. I started to gain an interest in canvas backgrounds. As I tried to create a background with a transparent atmospheric tone, my focus shifted from two to three-dimensional works of art. I made up my mind to work on glass art, which would enable me to pursue two ideas - transparency and three-dimension.

I was looking for a way to learn the art of Ryukyu glass. Eventually I met Masao Toubaru, famous modern glass artist. When I met him, I just knew that I wanted to work with him. However, it took me time to convince him to take me as an apprentice because I am a woman. He said that women always give up career for marriage and children.
I didn't want to give up, despite his rejection. I kept writing letters until he took me as an apprentice. I've worked for Momohara at the Okuhara Glass Factory for seven years.