Sky and sea meet in glass—a breath of Tsugaru caught in translucent blue. Description: This tea bowl by Kaoru Okawa captures the cool, airy beauty of Tsugaru Vidro. Shaped with a wide, open form and a small rounded foot, the bowl has a light, floating presence. The exterior is finished in a soft, frosted blue glass that evokes the quiet expanses of northern seas.Around the lower body, gentle bands of turquoise and soft aqua drift in wave-like curves, blending naturally into the surrounding blue. These colors are accented with fine, gold-toned speckling that resembles bubbles rising through water, giving the surface a lively yet delicate texture.Inside the bowl, the same tones gather toward the center in a transparent pool, with the gold-speckled patterns shimmering beneath the surface. The foot is made from translucent white glass, grounding the piece with a subtle, understated finish.The wooden box is signed in ink. Dimensions: Diameter: 14 cm Height: 6 cm Weight: 285 g Condition: No chips, cracks or restorations. Artist Profile: Kaoru Okawa was born in 1940 in Niigata Prefecture and became one of the leading figures in Japanese glass art. In 1964, he joined Hokuyo Glass Co., Ltd., the sole producer of Tsugaru Vidro, a traditional glass craft of Aomori Prefecture. Over more than four decades with the company, Okawa mastered the techniques of hand-blown glass and developed a distinctive artistic vision that celebrated the natural beauty of northern Japan. In 1986, he received the Aomori Prefectural Arts and Culture Award, recognizing his contributions to regional artistic culture. In 1990, he won the Grand Prize in Division One at the Tohoku Glass Art Exhibition, and in 1991, he received the Asahi Glass Award at the first Japan Glass Art Exhibition, establishing himself as a nationally recognized glass artist. Okawa is particularly renowned for his series "Tsugaru Hyakkei" (One Hundred Views of Tsugaru), in which he expressed the famous landscapes of Aomori Prefecture through glass art. These works featured mosaic-like patterns and captured the undulating waves of the Tsugaru Strait, translating the region's dramatic natural scenery into luminous glass forms. He employed techniques such as Venetian mosaic glass to create distinctive patterns unique to each piece. In 2006, Okawa was appointed as an advisor to Hokuyo Glass Co., Ltd., a position that honored his lifetime of achievement and expertise. He passed away in 2008, leaving behind a legacy of works that continue to be treasured as expressions of Tsugaru's natural splendor. Additional Notes Please review all photos carefully as they are part of the item description. Shipping Information All items are shipped from Japan via DHL or Japan Post, depending on the destination. Each piece is packed with great care using professional materials suitable for fine art shipping. A tracking number will be provided once the shipment has been dispatched. We cannot under-declare item values or mark shipments as gifts. Import Duties & Taxes Import duties, VAT, and any additional customs or processing fees are not included in the auction price. These charges are the responsibility of the buyer. Please check with your local customs office for details before bidding. Customs Communication Customs or the shipping carrier may contact you for additional information (such as ID verification or payment of duties). Please respond promptly to avoid delays or returns. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.