Kutani Glass - Akae Bird Motif

Two Japanese Traditions, One Glass

Kutani ware is a ceramic tradition from Ishikawa Prefecture, known for expressive painting and a rich use of colour. Edo glass, developed in Tokyo, brings another kind of beauty: the clarity and subtle variations of glass shaped by hand. One invites us to look at a painted surface; the other lets us look through it.

Based in Nomi, Ishikawa, Seihodo brings these two traditions together in its Kutani Wa Glass collection. A hand-painted porcelain base supports a hand-blown glass bowl, joining two materials with very different textures and ways of catching the light. It is a way of enjoying Japanese ceramics through a familiar object that can find a place at many different tables.

The Akae bird motif gives the base a sense of movement. Red brushwork brings a warm accent beneath the clear glass, so the decoration remains a distinct presence even after the drink has been poured.

The slender bowl gives the beer a tall, clear outline above the decoration. Looking from the rim down to the foot, you can follow the change from a transparent surface to painted porcelain within the same object.

Beer brings its own colour and movement to the clear bowl. Set the glass down between sips and the painted base comes back into view. It is an invitation to enjoy the vessel along with the drink, whether the evening is spent alone or in easy conversation with friends