Japanese craftsman launches Repair Glass upcycling broken wine glasses

Seiho-do Inc., a traditional craft manufacturer based in Nomi, Ishikawa Prefecture, launched its Repair Glass series on 14 January. The project upcycles broken high-quality wine and champagne glasses by joining salvaged glass bowls to stems using handcrafted Kutani ware porcelain joint components. It is a representation of a fusion of Japanese craftsmanship and circular economy principles.

The development of Repair Glass was prompted by a repair request from a customer whose wine glass stem had broken but who wished to reuse the glass because of its appealing mouthfeel. Recognising an opportunity to prevent these high-quality materials from entering the waste stream, Seiho-do applied its expertise in material bonding to create a practical product life extension solution.

Each piece in the Repair Glass collection is one of a kind. Skilled artisans hand-paint the Kutani ware joint components, offering more than 25 intricate patterns. As the glass bowls are salvaged from a variety of high-quality sources (including both machine-made and handmade), and the porcelain components are individually crafted, no two glasses are identical. As such, these upcycled pieces are more valuable than mass-produced alternatives.

The Repair Glass series is available through the company’s headquarters and its official online store, with prices starting from 14,300 yen depending on the materials and designs used.