Glass chopstick rests have a different kind of charm compared to ceramic ones.
Their transparency adds a light, refreshing feeling to the table. Depending on the angle and the way light passes through, their appearance shifts subtly.
They are also easy to wash, which makes them practical for everyday use.
I often use them from spring to summer, choosing designs inspired by seasonal flowers and scenery.
Green: kikyo (bellflower) Pink: sakura (cherry blossom) Blue: Yunagi no Sora — a calm evening sky
Seasonal Flowers (Ishizuka Glass)
These chopstick rests are from Ishizuka Glass’s “Seasonal Flowers” series.
The designs are inspired by plants from each season — plum and cherry blossoms in spring, morning glory and kikyo in summer, maple leaves and osmanthus in autumn, and camellia and nandina in winter.
When light touches the clear glass, small flowers and colored specks appear softly through it, creating a slightly dreamy impression.
I often use the cherry blossom design in spring and the kikyo design in summer.
Yunagi no Sora (Aderia / Tsugaru Vidro)
This piece is from Aderia’s Tsugaru Vidro series called “Nihon no Iro Fukei” (Colors of Japanese Scenery).
The series expresses seasonal landscapes using small pieces of colored glass.
Some of the designs include:
Spring Hill Dancing Cherry Blossoms Summer Fields Sunflowers Hydrangea Evening Calm Sky Fireflies at Dusk Winter Lights
“Yunagi” refers to a quiet moment in the evening when the wind settles and the sea becomes calm.
The soft blend of pale blue, pink, and a touch of orange reminds me of the sky at summer dusk.
Though it is a small object, it feels like placing a piece of scenery on the table.
Glass chopstick rests reflect light beautifully and add a subtle sense of season to everyday meals.
A mayonnaise-shaped chopstick rest made in Arita ware.
Its red cap and soft cream-colored body closely resemble the familiar Kewpie mayonnaise bottle in Japan.
With its playful appearance, it adds a light and unexpected touch to the table.
This piece is made by Kitagawa Yoshinobu Kiln in Saga, and is part of a series that also includes ketchup, okonomiyaki sauce, and tartar sauce designs.
The shape looks like mayonnaise just squeezed from a bottle, with a gentle curve in the middle.
That small indentation makes it easy to rest chopsticks securely.
Though slightly humorous in design, it feels thoughtfully made when used.
It’s both practical and playful — a small detail that brings a bit of character to the table.
