✨ Edo Kiriko: Japan’s Timeless Cut Glass Art ✨

Edo Kiriko is a traditional Japanese glass-cutting craft that began in 1835 in Edo (today’s Tokyo). Using emery powder to carve delicate patterns into crystal glass, artisans created works that were elegant yet practical.

Unlike the luxurious glassware of Kyoto and Osaka, Edo Kiriko was designed for everyday life—tableware, wind chimes, and even goldfish bowls. Its beauty lies in the fine hand-carved details that sparkle as they catch the light.

The craft evolved through Japan’s modernization in the Meiji era, when colored overlay glass and new techniques were introduced. Despite decline during wartime, Edo Kiriko revived in the 1960s, becoming a celebrated symbol of Japanese artistry.

Today, each Edo Kiriko piece is still cut and polished by hand, reflecting centuries of tradition and the quiet brilliance of Edo craftsmanship.

In 1985, Edo Kiriko was officially recognized as a “Tokyo Traditional Craft,” and in 2002 it was designated a “National Traditional Craft.”