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.