Edo Kiriko, the Japanese Cut Glass with Engraved Patterns

What is Edo kiriko?

Edo kiriko is a traditional Japanese cut glass.

The production began in 1834 since Kyubei Kagaya, who was the owner of a glassware store, started to carve glass. Since then, the production has widely spread in Edo where is today's Tokyo area as the skills of cutting glass and glass production have grown. In 2002, Edo kiriko was designated as Japanese craft.

Saihou is an Edo kiriko brand founded in 1971. The brand uses glasses that are produced in Japan and protects the highly-sophisticated skills of cut glass. The brand endeavors to pass down the tradition and also makes an effort to create new Edo kriko that fits our modern lives.

EDO KIRIKO GLASS SAKURA PATTERN SAKE GLASS

The production of Edo kiriko

The production of Edo kiriko started from plain glass, which does not have any patterns. The glass for Edo kiriko has two layers for cutting; the external glass is colored and the internal one is colorless. An artisan carves the external glass for the pattern.

1. Rough drawing

The first step would be a rough drawing. Using a gold pen, the craftsman draws rough patterns on the surface of the glass.

2. Cutting

The blade for cutting glass is made of diamond. Using several different sizes of blades, beautiful patterns are cut into the glass.

3. Smoothing

The surface of the glass is uneven after cutting. With a grindstone, the artisan makes the surface smoothen. This process would be the most important to make the beauty of Edo kiriko.

4. Polishing

With a polishing agent, the glass would be polished well and removes rough drawing. The glass finally becomes transparent with beautiful patterns.

Patterns of Edo kiriko

Grapes

EDO KIRIKO GLASS GRAPE PATTERN MINI OLD

Grapes with leaves are one of the representative patterns of Edo kiriko. As Edo kiriko has spread in Edo, many patterns of flowers and fruits have created. In Saihou, the pattern is the first step for newcomers to learn how to cut glass. The pattern would be the symbol of fruitful richness.

Cherry blossom

EDO KIRIKO GLASS CHERRY BLOSSOM PATTERN TUMBLER

EDO KIRIKO GLASS SAKURA PATTERN SAKE GLASS

Cherry blossom is a familiar tree for Japanese people. Many people enjoy seeing the tree blooms in spring. Not only when the flower blooms, but also when cherries fall from the trees, Japanese people feel the transient beauty of the flower. Saihou's Edo kiriko with cherry blossom expresses the aesthetics of the tree.

Yarai

PAIR OF EDO KIRIKO GLASS KASANE YARAI PATTERN

Yarai is a geometric pattern widely used in Edo kiriko. It originally indicates fence made of bamboo. You would find some of the design also have the pattern of swords on Yarai.