Traditional Japanese Craft Edo Kiriko Glassware from Kagami Crystal
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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.
Japan's First Crystal Glass Factory since 1934
Loved by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan
Lacquerware? Bamboo? Woodwork? Papermaking?
Well, you aren't wrong, but this time JAPANKURU wants to introduce to you
a beautiful part of Japanese craft making that you may have never thought of before.
We're talking about, glass!
Believe it or not, Japan's relation with glass dates way back to
as early as 3rd century Japan (Yayoi period) but it wasn't until recently the Edo era (1615-1868)
that the glass making we know today really made its mark.
Which is why this time we want to share Japan's special "Edo kiriko" with you
and where to get one of Japan's most popular glass stores in Ginza, Tokyo.
There are two primary types of glass at this store, Kagami Crystal.
Those are Crystal glass and Edo kiriko.
Crystal glass consists of a group of pure and raw materials creating a form of transparent glass.
Then Edo kiriko,
which is the main "Made in Tokyo" traditional Japanese craft in terms of cut glass,
is beyond stunning due to its meticulous and intricate cutting
that is no doubt only something a Japanese craftsman/craftswoman can produce.
How do you cut such delicate pieces of art though?
We'll get into that later, but first, it's important to know what "cutting" is.
Cutting refers to the glass products, using a particular cutting method,
being cut by discs made of emery, stone, etc.
so that lines, patterns, and other figures appear in the glass.
Under different lights and angles,
the pattern will produce different visual effects making it a very delicate process.
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)
is at the top of the Japanese glass industry.
Simple and classic.
KAGAMI CRYSTAL
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.
Kagami Crystal not only owns original products made by its own crystal glass factory but also displays
a lot of work from local craftsmen and craftswomen.
By stopping by here, you can see how artists express their love, creativity, and persistence through Edo Kiriko.
If you thought the small detail was amazing in the glasses, wait until you see the work put into these necklaces.
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)
Do you have a favorite item of Kagami Crystal's among the pictures above??
We wanna hear about it in the comment box below!
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Details
NAME:Kagami Crystal
MAP
Daiwa Ginza Bld 1F, 6-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
ACCESS:Ginza Station
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KANSAI
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Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.
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KYOTO
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Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
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NARA
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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OSAKA
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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