Kiriko Old Glass — Cherry Blossom (Flower Kiriko) | Gold & Red | Yamada Glass

Cutting light and reflecting time—Japan’s art of precision and brilliance.
Edo Kiriko is a traditional Japanese cut-glass craft in which artisans engrave delicate patterns into glass. Originating in the late Edo period with glass merchant Kyūbei Kagaya, the craft absorbed Western cutting techniques during the Meiji era and evolved into a distinctly Japanese art form.

Its defining feature is kise glass—a thin layer of coloured glass fused over clear glass—precisely hand-cut with a rotating whetstone. By varying the depth and angle of each incision, artisans create patterns that shimmer differently from every viewpoint. Classic motifs like kiku-tsunagi (chrysanthemum link), asa-no-ha (hemp leaf), yarai (bamboo fence) and nanako (fish roe) reflect Edo’s sophistication and playful spirit.

This “Cherry Blossom (Flower Kiriko)” Old Glass by Yamada Glass translates that lineage into a radiant bloom: petal-like cuts catch and scatter light across the Gold and Red overlays, the brilliance clear, even and vibrant—attainable only through seasoned hands. Edo Kiriko continues to evolve, and this piece stands as a living bridge of light, connecting Japan’s past and future through glass.