Contrast

Due to its strange shape, the Japanese roller float seems to be the most desirable float among collectors.

The first Tohoku roller floats were made in northeastern Japan for the open water shark fishing industry. After that fishery was closed, rolling pin floats were later adopted for a variety of other purposes. Roller floats are still commonly used today in the octopus fishing industry.

Although normally found in typical aqua colors, on occasion they can be found in other rare colors.

Recent Trip Photos

Above are the rarest rollers of the trip. These will all end up in my display case.

New Style Roller. Texture is rough and mottled like 3 piece mold floats and full of bubbles. 5 1/2" in length X 1 1/2" in diameter first myself or Walt has ever seen.

Recent Trip Photos

During a recent glass float hunting trip to mainland, myself and Walt Pich collected some very rare rolling pin floats. This picture shows a few of the more unusual floats we collected during the trip. 2 of these floats are one of a kind. Most of them are very unusual to rare.

Although it might look as though "there's a float around every corner," its definitely hard work digging up old floats like these.

Favorite Marks

Few of My Favorite Marks

UL--TO

UC--Big Dai

UR--Small Nishitani

LL--Unknown

LC--Brushed Dai

LR--Small Star

BT--KS