Qing Dynasty Glasses 清朝の乾隆ガラス

Japanese follows English.　英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are glass products all made in China during the Qing dynasty period currently on show at Tokyo National Museum.

Jar
Opaque red glass on yellow glass

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

I first thought that they were made in the Middle East as they are so colorful, so I was surprised that China had produced glasses of such bright colors in the 18th and 19th centuries. They are called Qianlong glasses, named after the Qianlong Emperor, the 6th emperor of the Qing dynasty.

Japan's traditional colors are more subtle or sober (like kimono) and I preferred them to lively ones. Sachio Yoshioka, a Japanese master dyer and textile historian, reproduced a variety of colors that reflect the natural surroundings and seasonal changes in Japan without using synthetic dyes and wrote several books about these colors. I often read one such book when I want to see inside of me in solitude.

But I have realized recently that bright colors, like those of Qianlong glasses, also make me happy in a different way, helping me look outward and setting me free. Now I appreciate both sober and bright colors.

If you are interested in sculptures produced under the Qing dynasty, read this.

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東京国立博物館に展示されていた清朝のガラスです。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

です。

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、私を助けてくれます！

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