“Bringing light into traditional Japanese homes”
In 1980, Masako began studying stained glass art at the Japan Stained-Glass Association in Shibuya, Tokyo. Within a year, she began crafting works based on her own original designs. Her work was featured five years later a broadcast program on the Japanese national television station NHK.
In 1990, she opened her own glass studio and taught aspiring stained-glass artists. Her classes were consistently filled, and there was always a waiting list.
Her motto “Bringing light into traditional Japanese homes” was her driving force, as she completed stained glass custom works for over 100 Japanese houses. At the same time, she continued to create her own pieces, including her famous lamps and panels. From 2001, for four consecutive years, her work was featured in the annual Gig Harbor-based American Stained-Glass Lamp Artists (ASGLA) calendar, known for its global distribution.
In 2018, she retired from her daily work as an artist due to illness. As part of her rehabilitation, she returned to creating small, fused glass pieces. These newest pieces reveal her whimsical side, capturing her memories of her beloved dog and neighborhood cats.
Her art uses several different types of glass, each with different melting points and light characteristics. Her process takes into account all the relevant factors to create a unified piece, sometimes requiring several applications of heat and cooling to produce a single item.
I hope you find a piece of art you love. Please ask about any aspect of her art!
Melody of My Youngest Daughter
My Lovely Dog, Joli
Two Panels in the Transom Windows
Doves at the Sliding Door
I’ll be posting updates often — stay tuned!
