Clear and bold stamp of WP #115 'I in a Diamond'. 

This is an uncommon mark produced by the Toyotomi Glass Company.  Toyotomi also produced the much coveted 'TO' mark.  Although the 'TO' floats come in many different colors, WP #115 'I in a Diamond' has only been found in the classic blue/green color.

This 3 1/2 inch float also has thousands of bubbles.

Found in Northern Japan.

This float has excellent provenance having come from the ex-Col. Rich Richardson collection.

Here's a nice specimen of maker's mark WP #194, commonly known as the 'Christmas Tree' mark.  The stamp is distinct and shows all points.

This float measures 4 1/4 inches in diameter.

This float has excellent provenance having come from the ex-Col. Rich Richardson collection.

Blue Swirls in a 2 1/2 inch float.

Found on Hokkaido Island, Japan.

Large Green Seal with perfect stamp of WP #141-A 'Maru Ha' は mark.  This is the trademark of the Ocean Fishing Company.

This float measures 3 inches in diameter with a light green seal that measures 2 inches at its widest.

Tons of bubbles with heavier than normal glass and glass swirling set this float apart.

Found on Hokkaido Island, Japan.

Barnacle encrusted 2 1/2 inch float.

Found on Hokkaido Island, Japan.

Excellent example of a Blue Dot float with trademark WP #56.

This float measures 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

Found in Northern Japan.

This float has excellent provenance having come from the ex-Woody Woodward collection.

This float has a Cranberry Seal with WP #254 stamped on it.  

Maker's mark WP #254 means 'Yama San', which translates to 'Three Mountains'

This netted float measures 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

Found in Northern Japan.

This float has excellent provenance having come from the ex-Woody Woodward collection.

This Tohoku style rolling pin is know as a 'Mold Line Roller'.  These mold lines seem to have been formed as a result of gaps in between the two halves of the mold.

It measures 6 inches in length.

Found in Hokkaido Island, Japan.

Nice Blue Dot float that still has some tar stuck to the edges of the seal button. 

Found on Hokkaido Island, Japan.

Double Bubble in a 4 inch float.  This one has a smaller inner ball; measuring only about 3/4 of an inch wide.

This float also has tons of tiny bubbles in the glass, too.

Found on Hokkaido Island, Japan.

This Blue Dot float has some unusual attributes.

First, it's 3 inches in diameter.  In my experience, there seems to be a far higher frequency of 2 inch floats with blue seals.  Next highest frequency of blue dot would probably be 4 inch floats.  I've got several 3 1/2 blue dots but this is the only one that's 3 inches in diameter (9 1/2 inches in circumference).

Second, there's an amber green or olive swirl that wraps around the equator of this float.  There are also some wonderful glass swirls.

Next, this float has an inclusion that looks like it could be a kiln stone.

Finally, the seal has some darker cobalt blue streaking in it.

This is not your typical Blue Dot.  I think it's quite unusual and rare. 

It has great provenance from ex-Woody Woodward collection.

Extremely rare Asahara Cast Iron Mold that was used for making 14 inch glass floats.

This mold was discovered in Wakkanai, a small fishing town in the far north of Hokkaido Island, Japan. 

It originated from a glass fishing float factory in Toyotomi Onsen where Mr. Maeda was part-owner in a factory with Asahara Glass Company in the early 1930's.  Toyotomi Onsen was chosen as the perfect place for melting glass, since it had a rich source of natural gas. 

The joint venture moved to Wakkanai sometime later and eventually closed in the 1970's.  Glass floats made at the factory were sold to Wakkanai, Rebun Island, and Rishiri Island fisherman. 

Countless Asahara 14 inch glass floats were produced in this exact same cast iron mold and I think it's a fantastic part of float making history.

Mrs. Maeda kept this mold for many years until I was lucky enough to acquire it.