Edo Kiriko Glass

Available for Purchase on Select Quilt Festival Japan Tours vacation packages.

Edo Kiriko (cut glass) is a glass manufacturing style founded in 1834 by Kagaya Kyubei. Marked by the clear colors and delicate patterns cut into the glass, Edo Kiriko flourished and grew in popularity thanks to the unique designs. Many patterns, such as chrysanthemums leaves, nanako (fish-egg like circles), and yarai (arrows) are just some of the examples to the popular patterns used for Kiriko Glass. The glass is cut using a base layer and a thin colored layer. The thin glass forms on the outside leaving a bright, vibrant color around the clear glass. It is believed that Edo Kiriko was founded in 1834, after Edo (pre-Tokyo) glass maker Kagaya Kyubei studied in Osaka to learn how to advance the glass making arts.

Nowadays, Edo Kiriko glass is used for sake bottles and cups, western wine glasses, whiskey glasses, and other dishes and vases. Travelers are likely to find Edo Kiriko glass available at various high-end stores in Japan and at some restaurants, thanks to the growing popularity of the beautiful cut glass. Related to Edo Kiriko glass, there's also a similar glass style called Satsuma Kiriko, a style from Kagoshima that overlays colors when forming the glass. If you are a sake or whiskey drinker, you may want to consider buying yourself a high-quality Edo Kiriko glass cup as a souvenir from your vacation with Japan Deluxe Tours.