Torimoto Glass Studio – 関守 Sekimori (Gatekeeper)

Name: Torimoto Glass Studio – 関守 Sekimori (Gatekeeper)
Brand: Studio Saum
Price: 100.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

€100,00

Shipping calculated at checkout.

In Japan, the Sekimori (関守) has long been revered as a guardian spirit—a symbolic “gatekeeper” placed at thresholds, paths, or sacred boundaries to protect and guide. Traditionally, Sekimori stones marked the entrance to temples, shrines, or mountain trails, serving as silent sentinels that honor the meeting point between the human and the divine.

Torimoto Glass Studio reimagines this timeless symbol through glass, capturing both its protective strength and quiet spirituality. Each piece is hand-formed in their Kyoto kiln, infused with light and air, and tied with braided hemp cord in reference to Shinto ritual bindings.

This edition comes in two variations—luminous transparent glass that reflects clarity and openness, and soft milky white glass that evokes purity and serenity. Whether placed at an entrance, a desk, or a personal altar, the Sekimori stands as a reminder of presence, protection, and the beauty of thresholds.

A contemporary interpretation of an ancient tradition, the Sekimori invites you to honor your own boundaries and transitions—wherever you may be.

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Yusuke and Yuya Torimoto, Torimoto Glass Studio was established in 2015 in Kyotanba, Kyoto, after years of apprenticeship under master glass artist Naoya Arakawa at Seikosha Glass Workshop. With their own kiln, they began creating works under the name Torimoto Glass Studio, dedicated to the quiet beauty and infinite possibilities of glass.

Their practice is rooted in a deep respect for material and craft. Each piece is made from carefully measured raw ingredients—including silica sand, limestone, and soda ash—precisely blended and melted at over 1300°C. Through this process, they refine qualities such as clarity, strength, luminosity, heat resistance, and even the resonance of sound, continually experimenting and improving with every batch.

Sustainability is also integral to their philosophy. Broken or chipped works are welcomed back through participating shops, where they are melted down and reborn into new pieces—a cycle that reduces waste and gives glass another chance to live. Customers are invited to take part in this ongoing dialogue of use, renewal, and gratitude.

The Torimotos believe that glass is more than a functional material—it is a medium that can quietly stir something within. Each vessel is designed not only to serve daily life, but also to awaken a subtle awareness of beauty in the everyday.

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