The origin of of Edo Kiriko dates back to 1834 in the Edo period when Kagaya Kyubei, a glass artisan working in Edo (nowadays Tokyo), used emery powder to produce glassware with engraved with patterns.
Edo Kiriko captivated the hearts of many people since its birth approximately 150 years ago. Not only Japanese recognize its beauty, but also Commodore Perry who arrived in Edo 1853 with his black warship was deeply impressed by the artistry and elegance of Edo Kiriko. It also was offered to the international guests during the G8 summit in Toya in 2008.
In the late Edo period, transparent lead glass (crystal glass) was the main glass material used for this craft. The patterns were familiar ones seen on kimonos, such as bamboo fencing, chrysanthemums and hemp.
First of all, an expert glassblower blows clear glass into a paper-thin shape of colored glass and then rotates this in the air to make the overall form. The result is a two-layer structure with colored glass on the outside and clear glass on the inside. By cutting patterns into the outside surface with different kinds of whetstones, a vivid contrast is created between the colored glass and the transparent glass.
In 1985 Edo Kiriko was designated a Traditional Craft Industry by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
To qualify as a Traditional Craft Industry, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government stipulates that the main process of manufacture must require the expert manual skills, the history of the techniques used must date back at least a century, and the craft must use traditional materials. In 2002, Edo kiriko was designated as a Traditional Handicraft by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
