A guide to KIRIKO

Pattern, colour and the art of cut glass.

Explore the process

What is KIRIKO?

Kiriko is the Japanese art of cutting patterns into glass. Lines and facets change how its surface catches and reflects light.

Edo kiriko traces its beginnings to Edo, now Tokyo, in 1834. Its patterned cuts turn a useful object into something worth looking at closely.

From line to pattern

  1. A guide mark sets the position of a cut on a flat glass surface

    01 Mark

    Guide marks set out where the lines will meet.

  2. A broad V-shaped cut opens the glass surface

    02 Cut

    Grinding wheels establish the main lines and their depth.

  3. A cut is refined into a clean, defined facet

    03 Refine

    Finer grinding gives the smaller cuts definition.

  4. A polished cut catches and reflects light

    04 Polish

    Polishing restores clarity to the worked surface.

Illustrated process. Tools and techniques vary by workshop.

Crescent glass photographed close up, with fine patterns above broad blue and clear facets
Coloured overlay glass in cross-sectionA V-shaped cut passes through a coloured surface layer and exposes clear glass underneath.Coloured surfaceClear glass
Simplified cross-section

Colour meets clarity

In coloured overlay glass, cutting through the outer layer reveals the clear glass beneath. The contrast gives the pattern its definition.

Turn the glass and the light finds a different path.

A general principle of overlay glass. Product construction varies.

Look a little closer

Fine intersecting patterns on the Ocean Glow glass, shown in an original product photograph

Fine intersections

Follow a line to where it meets the next. Repetition gives a detailed surface its rhythm.

Larger blue and clear facets on the Crescent glass, shown in an original product photograph

Open facets

Look at the larger clear areas between the coloured edges. Their scale creates a different expression.

Explore the glassware edit

View the glasses