Toshichi Iwata

Iwata attended the Tokyo School of Fine Arts for twelve years, where he studied in the metal work and Western oil painting departments.

[2] He learned engraving from Shomin Unno and Shigeyuki Hirata, and lacquer art from Shisui Rokkaku.

[citation needed] Iwata graduated in 1918 from the metal craft department and earned a BA in Western oil painting in 1923.

[citation needed] His studio, in 1943, was designated as a glass manufacturing residual factory and Iwata, individually, as a person qualified in preserving important craft technology by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

[citation needed] He received a Certificate of Commendation from the 12th Craft Exhibition (Metalworking) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 1925.

The original design for the factory glass was typically created by a member of the Iwata family, especially in the early years of operation.

Studio works by Toshichi Iwata were typically accompanied by a wooden tomobako, which he also made and signed.

Iwata factory produced art glass is also often found in museum and gallery collections, though not always properly attributed.

Glass vase titled "Flower Bud", by Toshichi Iwata with wood tomobako made by the artist, circa 1950, private collection . This vase was later reproduced in a simpler form for production in the Iwata factory with the factory label.