2005 Glass Masters Series Iwao Matsushima

Iwao Matsushima is a great master of Japanese glass art who has received international acclaim for his core-formed glass. He has reinvented the art of core-forming -- a process used by most of the world's glass makers more than 3,500 years ago, before the advent of glassblowing. Glassmakers would shape the body of a vessel around a core, wind colored trails around it, and add handles and a rim. After the vessel cooled, the core would be removed.

He was inspired by a few small ancient Egyptian core-formed vessels that he saw in a museum. He had studied art and design, but had no knowledge of glass making. He began to educate himself, and although he failed repeatedly in his first attempts, he found it to be a new and interesting experience.

The artist has incorporated the traditional techniques into a renowned body of work unique to contemporary glass. His aim is not only to resurrect the most ancient of the glass techniques. He wants his objects to actually connect us to the Ancient World.

In this video, Mr. Matsushima, assisted by his wife Michiyo, demonstrates at the 2005 International Flameworking Conference at Salem Community College. Yoko Yagi served as the interpreter.