二代目秀石 須田富雄 Shūseki(II), Tomio Suda
1985年に二代目秀石の名を受け継いだのは、初代秀石の一番弟子であった須田富雄氏でした。須田氏は1924年に生まれ、初代秀石である堀口市雄氏の弟子となります。12歳の年齢差であった初代秀石は、須田氏にとって師匠であり、同時に父や兄のような存在でもあったと言います。厳格だった初代秀石とは対照的に、須田氏は温厚で寛容な人物でした。しかしながら、加工に関してはどこまでも厳しい一面を持っていました。
伝統的な文様を正確、緻密に切り上げる作風は、二代目特有のものでした。
初代、二代目、三代と3人の秀石の作風は、それぞれ大きく異なります。唯一の共通点は、ガラス加工とまっすぐに向き合うその姿勢と言えるでしょう。
長年に渡り堀口硝子の工場長を務め、生涯現役だった須田氏ですが、晩年は老眼、白内障などに悩まされました。目の調子が良いのは、朝起きてからの15分と、昼寝をしてからの15分だったと言います。その30分をひたむきに紡ぎながら、少しずつ作業を進め、大作を仕上げるのに数ヶ月の時間を要しました。現役時代であれば、数日で仕上げることのできた作業だったと言います。しかし須田氏は、クオリティの高さを維持するため、数十年続けてきた作業のリズムを変えながらも、製作に励みました。自分の身体能力を把握、コントロールし、もう少しと欲をかかず、15分で一旦作業をやめる勇気は計り知れません。この姿からは、須田氏のクオリティへの妥協の無さと、自分を律する強い意志が伺えます。
「秀石」の名を大切に育て、生涯現役、日々研鑽に努めた須田氏は、2013年、江東区の無形文化財に登録されました。
Tomio Suda, Ichio Horiguchi’s first pupil, succeeded the “Shūseki” title in 1985. Tomio was born in 1924, and later became apprentice to Ichio. Not only was Ichio a master to Tomio, but also became both father and brother figures to him, since they were only 12 years apart. In contrast to Ichio, who was known for being very strict, Tomio was a gentle and lenient man. However, he could be extremely stern when it came to methods of processing glass.
Tomio was exceptionally talented in cutting elaborate and accurate patterns.
The first, second and third Shūseki all have distinguishing styles in their work. Their sincere devotion to Edo Kiriko may have been the only aspect they had in common.
Tomio had been an active Edo Kiriko artisan for life, but struggled with presbyopia and cataract in his later years. His eyesight would only be at its best condition 15 minutes in the morning, and after his midday rest. 30 minutes a day of constant and earnest effort finally paid off, but it took him months to finish his project. This was something he could have completed in a few days in his golden ages. However, Tomio willingly changed his routine in order to maintain the quality of his products. His accurate perception and total control of his physical abilities lead to his courageous decision to stop working after 15 minutes. This is a true representation of his never-ending pursuit for quality, and his strong will to restrain himself.
Tomio carefully nurtured the title of “Shūseki”, and was devoted in improving his skills throughout his life. In 2013, he was registered as an intangible cultural property of the Edogawa ward, Tokyo.