What is Edo Kiriko? 8 Things to Know About Japanese Glass

by Cassandra Lord | CRAFT

© Edo Kiriko Cooperative Association, Drinking Glasses

Edo Kiriko is a great example of the high-quality crafts Japan is known for. The beautiful glassware comes in all shapes and sizes, and is characterized by intricate patterns hand-carved into the glass. Each piece requires a steady hand and careful concentration in order to create something worth showing off.

Here we’ll look at the history and characteristics of Edo Kiriko, and why you might want to consider adding some to your home!

1. What is Edo Kiriko Glass?

© Edo Kiriko Cooperative Association, Drinking Glasses and Decanter

Edo is the former name of Tokyo, giving us the Edo period (1603-1868) when it became Japan’s de facto capital in 1603 (it would later be recognized as the official capital in 1868). Kiriko, on the other hand, simply means “cut glass.” Therefore the Edo Kiriko portmanteau refers to a type of decorative cut glass that arose during the Edo period. The glassware is characterized by its bright colors, most often red or blue, and elaborate designs made by cutting into the glass surface. However, some designs have no color at all. While there are many kinds of products made using Edo Kiriko techniques, they are most commonly used to craft drinking glasses.

2. Why is Edo Kiriko So Popular in Japan?

One of the reasons Edo Kiriko is so popular in Japan is because of its simple concept yet arresting aesthetic. You could describe Edo Kiriko as colored, cut glass, but this undersells it; each design is so beautifully hand-crafted it almost creates a kaleidoscope effect. And while pieces can be expensive, they can also make for a wonderful addition to your glassware collection at home. If you are looking to add some glass art to your collection, you might also consider the works of these 20 Japanese Glass Artists!

Another reason for its popularity is its ability to embody Japanese tradition while continuing to evolve and change with the times. Although Edo Kiriko originated hundreds of years ago, it has remained an integral element of Japanese artistic culture. By the 1900s, it became so representative of Japanese glassware that it was often called wa glass, meaning Japanese glass, and saw a huge boom in popularity. This boom led to the founding of many of the Edo Kiriko manufacturers that are still popular today. Furthermore, in 2002 it was officially designated as a Traditional Craft by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

3. The History of Edo Kiriko

Kyubei Kagaya Draw Card, Source: "Natural History" Yoshio Tanaka, Natural History Collection

We already know that Edo Kiriko originated during the Edo period, but its specific origins are often attributed to Kagaya Kyubei, who ran a glassware shop in the city after learning techniques in Osaka.

Much later, following industrialization in the Meiji era (1868-1912), came a modern glass factory known as Shinagawa Kogyosha. During this time, Japan invited renowned British glassmaker Emmanuel Hauptmann to the country, and many Japanese craftsmen studied under his guidance to create something entirely new, fusing elements of British and Japanese glasswork.

© Edo Kiriko Cooperative Association, Drinking Glasses and Jug

As for what are now considered to be the iconic Edo Kiriko colors, they were in fact introduced through a similar style of cut glass from southern Japan, called Satsuma Kiriko. Satsuma Kiriko ceased production towards the end of the 19th century, as workshops were destroyed in the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion. This left a lot of Satsuma Kiriko artisans out of work, so some migrated to Edo, bringing their coloring techniques to Tokyo and incorporating them into Edo Kiriko.

By the 1900s, Edo Kiriko had become a multicultural art form, encouraging a further boom in popularity from the Showa period (1926-1988) onwards.

4. What Are the Famous Patterns of Edo Kiriko?

© Edo Kiriko Cooperative Association, Red Drinking Glass

Edo Kiriko glassware is known for its beautiful designs, of which there are many. However, the craft is known for 12 main designs, the most famous being the nanako design. Nanako (魚子) means “fish eggs” in Japanese, and lends its name to the design because it’s made up of lots of thin lines crossing over each other, resembling shiny fish eggs.

© Edo Kiriko Cooperative Association, Blue Drinking Glass

Another typical design found on the base of many Edo Kiriko cups is soko-giku (底菊), which means “base chrysanthemum.” Rather than an etched line, a soko-giku design is carved to give depth that looks like chrysanthemum petals. Other traditional patterns include designs that resemble bamboo, pine trees and other cultural motifs.

5. What is the Difference Between Edo Kiriko and Other Japanese Glassware?

Although there are a few different types of glassware in Japan, the only one resembles Edo Kiriko is Satsuma Kiriko. They are the two main types of cut glass in the country. The main difference between the two is in the style. While Edo Kiriko is known for its sharp contrast in both its cuts and colors, Satsuma Kiriko assumes a gentler approach, with gradated colors and softer lines.

As for the other types of Japanese glass, there are a few that incorporate different colors and shapes, like Ryukyu Glass (Okinawa) or Tsugaru Bidoro (Aomori), but none that create patterns with cuts like Edo Kiriko.

You don’t need to limit yourself to glass though, make sure to check out The A-Z of Japanese Pottery: 32 Most Popular Ceramic Styles!

6. How is Edo Kiriko Made?

© Edo Kiriko Cooperative Association, Glassware Artisan

The first step of Edo Kiriko happens during the glassblowing process, when a thin layer of colored glass is put on top of the clear base glass. This is then followed by four main steps to create the cut design:

· Outlining the design

· Initial cuts

· Adjustments and refining

· Polishing

During each step of the process, the artisan must have a steady hand and pay close attention to detail to finally create a sparkling piece of Edo Kiriko glassware.

7. Where Can You Buy Edo Kiriko?

© Edo Kiriko Cooperative Association, Clear Drinking Glasses

As Edo Kiriko is a Tokyo-based traditional craft, many higher-end souvenir shops around the capital will sell it. But if you want something a bit more special, or want to browse a larger collection, you might consider visiting one of these specialist stores:

· Hanashyo – a beautiful selection of glassware in Tokyo’s Koto ward

· Edo Kiriko Showroom – a collection run by the Edo Kiriko Cooperative Association, also in Tokyo’s Koto ward

· Sumida Edo Kiriko Museum – alongside a museum where you can learn about glassware, it also offers Edo Kiriko workshops and has a store selling glassware products

8. How to Use and Care For Edo Kiriko

© Edo Tokyo Kirari, Edo Kiriko Drinking Glass

How you use your Edo Kiriko depends on the item you buy. As it is glassware, you will need to be careful about how you store or mount it for decoration.

Edo Kiriko glasses do not have any particular drink associated with them, so you can use it however you like. However, avoid using it for hot drinks, as the glass may shatter from the sudden temperature change.

If you buy a drinking glass, after each use wash and dry it by hand, and store it upright. As the glass is delicate, and the rim is particularly prone to chipping, there are a few things to avoid:

· Don’t put your Edo Kiriko in the microwave or dishwasher

· Don’t stack your Edo Kiriko cups

· Don’t use a drying rack (pressure from other items could cause damage)

If you feel that your Edo Kiriko piece has lost some of its shine, you can wipe it carefully with a thin layer of bleach to bring back its sparkle.

In general, treat your Edo Kiriko with care, and it will last long enough to pass down through generations to come!