Unlike many of the glass artists living in the west in Japan artists are faced with a few more challenges when it comes to earning a living. Whereas an artist in the states has better odds of being able to make ends meet and build a reputation as just a pipe-maker. In Japan an artist has to dig a little deeper; lamp fixtures, oil lamps, and of course Japan’s famous marble art are just some of the few things an artist living in Japan should master in order to start getting work. Some artists still make hand-pipes and bubblers but these days it’s become rare, making what is made both rare and in demand by western and native Japanese buyers. Working out of the Tokyo glass shop Xodas located in the Meguro-ku ward of the bustling metropolis, Keisuke Yoshida is doing it all. From functional bubblers to beautiful oil lamps Keisuke’s style shows off both his Japanese roots as well as his vivid imagination.
Other than making a wide variety of “functional glass” and I don’t mean just pipes, Keisuke has also crossed into the realm of sculpture having submitted a few works in local galleries. His latest work “蛇口パイプ” or “Faucet Pipe” is both a functional pipe and a deeper message. With the belief that Japan is most famous for it’s pristine drinking water Keisuke made it to spread awareness about the potential dangers that could arise when it comes to the water they use. Made after the tragic Tsunami/Earthquake last year many people lived in fear of radiation contamination and loss of power for long periods of time. For a while people were scared to even use their own taps at home for water.
When it comes to pipe-art Keisuke cetainly doesn’t drop the ball, from convient spoons to larger than life bubbler Yoshida covers all the bases. He even provides many pipes to our friends at Bohemian Glass and Hemp Shop in the Shibuya ward not far from his own. But most of his work is for sale at the shop he works at everyday Xodas where he works with fellow artists Shige and Toshi.
…An “IgniteMe” themed hammer bubbler, chilling outside on the Tokyo streets…
…A wig-wag 6 hole diffused bubbler, seeking solitude in this rock garden…
…A black and white sherlock with marble…
Other than making a wide variety of pipes and bubblers Yoshida also makes everyday items like goblets and oil lamps, he often finds himself collaborating with his shop mates on many of them.
…An oil lamp, made by Keisuke and Shige…
…A dolphin goblet…
Keisuke is currently still working at Xodas creating some mind blowing work with the help of the other glassblowers that share his workplace. Don’t be surprised if you see an article on the whole shop coming up in the next couple weeks. If you’d like to see what’s in stock check out their online site, they ship to the United States.
