Edo Kiriko (Cut Glass)

The origins of Edo kiriko are said to lie in the engraved glassware produced by the craftsman Kagaya Kyubei, who lived in the Odenmacho district of old Edo.
Its beauty lies not only in the light hitting the glass, but also in the quality of light - natural light, light coming through paper screens, or artificial light.
All of these create minute variations and beautifully shaped shadows in the glass that provide an endless source offascination.
Again, by looking at Edo kiriko from a variety of angles, the refraction of the light creates a kaleidoscopic effect that is a secret delight.
Edo kiriko is best to use when we wish to take our time to savor whatever it is it contains.
The main types of cut are nanako, which consists of a dense diamond pattern reminiscent of fish scales, asanoha in which the cuts resemble the shape of a hemp leaf, yarai which resembles rain that falls like arrows, kiku in which the repeating pattern creates a chrysanthemum design, sasa (bamboo), kagome (lattice), and kumonosu (spiderweb).
Each of these designs can be used on its own or in combination with one another.