Edo kiriko: the beautiful jewel-like cut glass

Edo kiriko is a traditional Japanese glass craft and has long been beloved by Japanese for its stunning jewel-like sparkle and detailed design.

The first Edo kiriko glassware was produced in Edo (present-day Tokyo) over 180 years ago. Initially, it was made by shaving clear glass using sand or wood. With advancements in technology, clear glass covered in coloured glass has become the norm for present-day Edo kiriko glassware.

With further advancements in glass technology, it has become possible to depict the sparkle beaming from the red and blue glass even more beautifully. The intricate patterns, called kiku-tsunagi, are traditional Edo kiriko designs.

The works produced by popular craftsman Yoshihiro Mitamura feature subtle cuts and designs that combine the tradition of Edo kiriko with a modern style. The name of his series of gui-nomi (Japanese sake cups) and glasses is Nagare, which means ‘to flow’. As the name suggests, the designs resemble beautiful flowing water.

The more the patterns intersect, the more difficult and longer the manufacturing process is. You can see the true skill of the craftsmen by how intricate the designs are. Another aspect that is extremely sensitive is the polishing of the cut patterns to make them smooth when they are held.

Yoshihiro Mitamura’s Hibana glasses feature patterns that resemble flickering flames and amber colours. When you pour Japanese sake or other drinks into the glass, you can get an even stronger sense of the sparkle that is emitted from the cut patterns.

The faint amber colour of the gui-nomi cups glows like jewels. These cups are typically made of ceramics, glass or tin, and are mainly used when drinking sake. The gui-nomi cups of Edo kiriko are extremely popular among collectors, as they can be put on display or used to enjoy Japanese sake.

We highly recommend visiting La Cave, located on the third floor of the basement level, where you can find a wide range of delicious Japanese sake to complement the cups.

When drinking Japanese sake, the tokkuri, which is a Japanese-style flask, and an ochoko, which is a smaller version of a gui-nomi cup, are often used as a set.