Iwata Toshichi - Iwata Toshichi

Glass artist. Born in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. He initially enrolled in the Metalwork Department of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, but switched to Western Painting, graduating in 1923 (Taisho 12). He then became devoted to glass, and after the opening of the fourth section of the Teiten Exhibition, Arts and Crafts, in 1927 (Showa 2), he exhibited glass crafts at the exhibition every year. Using the free-blowing technique, he was able to create free-form shapes that were not bound by convention, and he invented colored glass, blown glass containing gold leaf, glass containing mica, and glass containing bubbles to enhance decorativeness and establish them as a method of expressing individuality. He also opened the Iwata Glass Factory in 1956 and worked to raise the standard of glass craft, and made great efforts in guiding the next generation. He was a member of the Japan Art Academy, and was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit in 1970 (Showa 45).

[Yoshiaki Yabe]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ガラス工芸家。東京・日本橋に生まれる。初め東京美術学校金工科に入学したが、西洋画科に転じて1923年（大正12）に卒業。その後ガラスに傾倒するようになり、27年（昭和2）の帝展第四部美術工芸の開設以後、毎年ガラス工芸品を同展に発表。宙吹き法による、型にはまらない自在な造形を可能にし、色ガラス、金箔(きんぱく)入り吹きガラス、雲母(うんも)入りガラス、泡入りガラスを考案して装飾性を高め、個性の表現法として定着させた。また自ら31年に岩田硝子(ガラス)製作所を開いてガラス工芸の水準高揚に努め、後進の指導にも大いに尽力した。日本芸術院会員で、70年（昭和45）に文化功労者に叙せられた。

［矢部良明］

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