Edo Kiriko cut glass is one of Japan’s beautiful traditional crafts that uses glass. At a local store in Tokyo, Kagami Crystal, you get to see Japanese artisan handiwork at its best.

Edo Kiriko (江戸切子) is a traditional Japanese glass cutting art that originated during the Edo period.
It's said it began with transparent glass then gradually moved to using colored glass like yellow, red, blue, etc. What makes Edo Kiriko exceptional is its intricate manually cut patterns. The patterns used are simple yet gorgeous. In a way, they are similar to patterns one might see on Japanese kimono such as chrysanthemums, bamboo leaves, and geometric shapes. 
 In 1985, Edo Kiriko was designated as a traditional craft of Tokyo and in 2002, was recognized as an official traditional handicraft of Japan! It's easy to see why too! These multi-layered glasses are stunning beyond belief.  

"Kiriko" (切子) means "facet" in Japanese, and it refers to the multitude of decorative patterns that are engraved on the surface of the glass using grindstones and other tools. Using only rough outlines as guides, artisans carve the detailed but accurate lines freehand. 

What is the traditional Edo Kiriko cutting process??
First, let us say that there are a wide range of grinding wheels used when cutting Edo Kiriko!
💎Waridashi (割り出し) (calculate) or Sumitsuke (ink application) – using ink to divide and draw a basic outline of the patterns (normally it's just the starting lines) to be cut in the glass.
💎Arazuri (粗刷) (rough grinding) – do the basic glass cutting following the outline they drew. Some places use a mix of emery and water to cut the glass.
💎Sanbankake (三番掛け) – apply finer grain emery powder or a different disc to obtain a more detailed pattern of cutting.
💎 Ishikake (石掛け) (whetstone grinding) – using a whetstone grinder to smooth out and define the patters in the glass cut up to this point.
💎 Migaki (磨き) (polishing)
💎 Bafukake (バフ掛け) (buffing)
 

Kagami Crystal established Japan's first crystal glass factory in 1934. The crystal glass and Edo Kiriko produced by Kagami Crystal not only won at many worldwide expos, but it's even beloved and used by the Japanese royal family, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and so on. If you go inside, you'll even see SHISEIDO's perfume WHITE ROSE bottle which was made from Kagami Crystal's glass, along with Suntory's whisky anniversary bottle. 

🍶Cold Japanese sake glasses

In a lot of way, Japan = sake. So why not get yourself a set of Japanese sake glasses? There are a wide range of shapes for the glasses. Some resembling shot glasses, more the traditional short and rounded glasses, and others a square shape.

🍺Beer glasses

As the hot summer days approach, crystal glass and colorful Edo Kiriko glasses can fancy up your make beer experience. Since the main production is focused towards Japanese, the size of the beer glasses are made into a smaller cup type. No need to fear though! We were really happy to see Kagami Crystal also makes a variety of larger glasses for the European and American customers, or those who just really love beer!

🥃Whisky glasses

As mentioned earlier, Kagami Crystal made a bottle for Suntory Whisky. Therefore, Kagami Crystal also has a variety of whisky glasses. The size of whisky glasses works the same as the beer glasses. Originally there were smaller whisky glasses, but Kagami Crystal also has produced bigger glasses making it easier to hold and fit perfectly in your hand. Also great for those who feel that the smaller Japanese whisky glasses don't quite do it.

Still thinking about what gift you should come back from Japan?

Glasses are relatively cheap due to being massively produced in no time at all. However, it roughly takes more than a month for a single piece of Edo Kiriko to be made. Thus it's easy to believe when we say not a single composite in Edo Kiriko from Kagami Crystal misses the deepness in Japanese culture. Even just in pictures, you can see the true art and skill that many Japanese craftsmen and craftswomen have. Hopefully, you will have a chance to look around Kagami Crystal and maybe even pick up an Edo Kiriko glassware as a gift. Regardless of whether you give it to a beloved one or use it for yourself, it's the best souvenir that is filled with Japanese spirit.

★★Kagami Crystal shop in Ginza is a duty-free shop.
Purchases exceeding 5,000 yen are exempt from taxation, so don't forget your passport!
More info here! 
 

 KAGAMI CRYSTAL 
・Address: Daiwa Ginza Bld 1st Floor, 6-2-1 Ginza, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps
・Access: 5 minutes on foot from Tokyo Metro Ginza Station Exit C2 / 6 minutes on foot from JR Yurakucho Station Central Exit
・Opening hours: Monday to Friday 11:00-7:30pm / Weekends and holidays 11:00-6:30pm
・Public Holidays: Every Thursday
💻Kagami Crystal Official Website (English)

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