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Edo Kiriko is a traditional Japanese craft that originated in Tokyo. The delicate and gorgeous patterns that are cut into the surface of glass products such as sake cups and glasses fascinate people and have become popular both in Japan and overseas. In this column, we will introduce how Edo Kiriko is made, its representative patterns, and the history from its birth to its development.

Table of Contents
1.　Edo Kiriko Production Process
2.　Traditional Patterns
3.　History of Edo Kiriko
4.　Conclusion

Edo Kiriko Production Process

Edo Kiriko is glass that is created by cutting the surface of the glass to create a pattern. The process of making it is as follows.

1) Wari-dashi (Drawing): A rough sketch. A mark (line) is made on the body of the glass product to be cut with a marker.
2) Ara-zuri (Rough cutting): The rough design is decided. The glass is cut while wetted with a diamond wheel (a rotating grindstone for cutting glass).
3) Niban/Sanban-gake (Second and third cutting): A finer and smoother cut is made. This is also done while applying water to the diamond wheel.
4) Ishi-kake (Stone-cutting): The cut surface is made even smoother. Artificial whetstones or natural stones are processed while applying water.
5) Migaki (Polishing): The cut surface is made shiny. A water-soluble abrasive is applied to a woodblock or resin pad, etc. and polished.
6) Buffing: A water-soluble abrasive is applied to a fiber rotating disk such as felt or cotton, and the finishing touch is to polish the surface.

It is not true that all cut glass made by the above method is Edo Kiriko. Cut glass that meets all the following conditions is called Edo Kiriko. ① It is glass, ② It is made by hand, ③ Rotary tools are mainly used during production, and ④ It is produced throughout the Kanto region, mainly in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

Traditional Patterns

The following are representative traditional patterns of Edo Kiriko. It is characterized by the use of familiar Japanese patterns that can also be seen on kimonos. However, these are only a few of the Edo Kiriko patterns, and some craftsmen have their own original patterns.

・Nanako: Finely cut intersections. A pattern that looks like a series of fish eggs.
・Asanoha: A pattern in which the intersections of the Kiriko glass look like hemp leaves.
・Yarai: A pattern that looks like arrow-like rain or the intersections of bamboo fences.
・Rokkaku-kagome (Hexagonal basket weave): A pattern that uses a continuous hexagonal mesh pattern of a bamboo basket, used as a talisman.
・Kikutsunagi: A pattern in which the intersections of the fine cuts look like chrysanthemums, which represent immortality.

History of Edo Kiriko

Edo Kiriko is now registered as a traditional craft of Japan and Tokyo. Its origins date back to the late Edo period in Tokyo (Edo). It is said that it began when Kagaya Kyubei, who ran a glass maker in Nihonbashi at the time, used diamond dust to carve the surface of glass. However, there are no documents remaining that describe what tools were used during the Edo period and how it was made. Later, during the Meiji period, cut glass instructor Emmanuel Hauptman was invited from England, and the traditional Edo Kiriko technique that has been passed down to the present day was established. In the Taisho period, research into the glass materials used in cut glass and the development of polishing techniques led to further improvement in the quality of Edo Kiriko. In this way, Edo Kiriko, which has been produced by hand continuously from the late Edo period to the present day, was designated as a traditional craft designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 1985, and was certified as a traditional craft designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2002.

Conclusion

Edo Kiriko has been produced by hand from the Edo period to the present day. It is fascinated by its delicacy and the brilliance that is carefully crafted down to the smallest detail, which is only possible by hand.
For more information about Edo Kiriko handled by Imoto Sangyo, please see the following page.

・Futa Choko
・Soba Choko Set

Imoto Sangyo also handles a wide variety of kitchen utensils, tableware, and daily necessities. For more information, please see the “Goods & Cases” page.

(References)
Edo Kiriko Cooperative Association
EdoKiriko’s Shop Hanashyo
Sumida Edo Kiriko Museum
Wikipedia
KOGEI JAPAN
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs