What it does
Instead of incinerating rice husks or mixing them into soil, we focused on silica as a resource. By proposing glass tableware made from rice husks, we rediscovered the value of waste and designed products that benefit the environment and our daily lives.
Your inspiration
From a young age, while helping with the family rice farming business, I began to question the large amounts of rice husks that were generated but not fully utilized and ended up being discarded. The initial spark came from wondering if there was a way to repurpose this readily available material into something more valuable. Additionally, while studying product design in college, I became deeply drawn to sustainable material utilization and circular design. I wanted to take on this challenge from a design perspective by creating products that reutilize rice husks as a material with my own hands.
How it works
“Ho No Shizuku” is a soda-lime silicate glass sake decanter and cup that utilize silica contained in rice husks generated during rice harvesting as a raw material for glass. Silica shares the same composition as “silica sand,” the primary raw material for glass, demonstrating the potential to reuse rice husks as a resource. By utilizing this material, the product contributes to waste reduction and resource circulation, making it an environmentally conscious product. In terms of design, it balances visual appeal with functionality. When viewed from above, the design features the shape of rice grains, and the sake cup has a moderate thickness for a comfortable mouthfeel. Additionally, the sake bottle is designed to fit comfortably in the hand, with a shape reminiscent of the roundness of rice grains. This sake set combines functionality and storytelling, making it a unique product made from recycled materials.
Design process
When I first conceived the concept, I conducted research on related papers to explore the potential of developing products using rice husks as a material. During this process, I discovered the case of Nihon Yamamura Glass Co., Ltd.(NYG), which had developed glass bottles from rice husks. This inspired me to design glassware, and I presented my initial design sketches to NYG, where I received guidance on the method of producing glass from rice husks. Currently, under the guidance and cooperation of my research laboratory, I am advancing development as a commissioned research project from NYG. In the initial stage, we created prototypes by printing the shapes we had devised ourselves using a 3D printer. However, it became clear that the shapes were impractical, as they were prone to distortion during glass forming. Stress when using the products and their hard appearance were also issues, and we determined that they were not comfortable for users. In the improved version, I added rounded edges to the overall design and revised the thickness balance. I also focused on ease of handling, visual softness, and aesthetic appeal. Currently, I am producing new shapes using a 3D printer and evaluating their usability and design.
How it is different
“Ho No Shizuku” differs from conventional glass products in that it uses silica extracted from rice husks, which are typically discarded as waste. This reduces reliance on natural resources (silica sand) that have traditionally been heavily used in glass production, contributing to the realization of a circular economy (sustainable society). Additionally, the rice husks used as raw material are byproducts from local agricultural sites, and their effective utilization contributes to regional resource circulation and the revitalization of local economic activities. By reducing environmental impact while supporting locally sourced and produced manufacturing, it also holds significant social value. Above all, the unique experience of drinking sake made from rice in a cup made from rice is the greatest charm of “Ho No Shizuku.”
Future plans
We are considering expanding our application beyond sake cups to other tableware. By moving into glass products widely used in daily life, we hope to give more people a sense of the recyclability and value of the material. Furthermore, using glass blocks as a building material could help create more sustainable architecture. We also aim to convey the significance and technology of using waste as raw material to consumers and industries, promoting the idea that “waste = resource.” Amid growing environmental awareness, we believe design plays a vital role in expanding this consciousness.
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