Qing Dynasty Glasses 清朝の乾隆ガラス

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Housed at the Tokyo National Museum, these glass products were all made in China during the Qing dynasty. They are so colorful that I first thought they were crafted in the Middle East. These vibrant pieces are known as Qianlong glass, named after the 6th Qing emperor.

Jar: Opaque red glass on yellow glass

China and Japan have a lot in common, but these colors aren't truly Japanese. Traditional Japanese colors tend to be more subtle and sober—like those of a kimono—and I prefer them to more vibrant ones, probably just because I'm a native of Japan. I love the colors reproduced by Sachio Yoshioka, the late Japanese master dyer and textile historian. He recreated a wide range of hues reflecting Japan's nature and changing seasons without synthetic dyes, and he wrote several books about them. I often pick up one of his books when I want to look inward in solitude.

I love Japanese colors, but I’ve come to realize that bright colors—like those of Qianlong glassware—make me happy in a different way, helping me look outward and feel free. Now I appreciate both muted and bright palettes.

Candlesticks: Colored glass

Lobed bowl: Opaque blue glass

Vase with long neck: Transparent blue glass

Vase with long neck: Blue green glass

Vase with long neck: Milky white glass

  

Vase: Opaque yellow glass

Posted on 1/13/2020

Revised on 10/15/2026

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東京国立博物館所蔵の清朝のガラスです。上から：

黄地赤色ガラス壺
色ガラス燭台
青色ガラス木瓜型鉢
青色透明ガラス長頸瓶
青緑色ガラス長頸瓶
乳白色ガラス長頸瓶
黄色ガラス瓶

こういう鮮やかな色って昔は苦手でした。日本の古代色の方が好きでした。自分と向き合えるからです。染色家の吉岡幸雄氏の書いた本を読んでいると心が洗われます。

でも最近、鮮やかな色やその力にも惹かれるようになりました。地味だけど奥深い日本の古代色は内面と向き合いたい時、清朝のガラスのような明るい色は意識を外に広げたい時、それぞれ私を助けてくれます。

Posted on 1/13/2020

Revised on 10/15/2026

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