00:00 [ Music ]
00:06 >> Edo Kiriko is a cut glass craft known
00:09 for its gorgeously intricate patterns.
00:11 It originated about 200 years ago in Edo, the city now called Tokyo.
00:20 This pamphlet from a glass wholesaler
00:24 of the time shows the wide variety of products on offer.
00:26 As you can see, it was used to decorate almost all everyday objects.
00:32 [ Music ]
00:38 Over the years, the craft evolved and Edo Kiriko continues to innovate today.
00:44 Tokyo's Koto Ward is still home to numerous Edo Kiriko workshops.
00:52 Shinozaki Hideaki has been a glass artisan for over 40 years.
01:01 He took over the workshop after the passing of his father and teacher, Seiji.
01:08 You'll see traditional Japanese motifs in this type of cut glass.
01:12 It's very appealing to Japanese tastes.
01:15 Edo Kiriko uses a dozen or so traditional patterns.
01:18 For example, the contrasting squares of the Ichimatsu pattern.
01:27 Checker patterns have long been a symbol of prosperity.
01:30 [ Music ]
01:35 Interlocking chrysanthemum patterns symbolize health and long life.
01:40 All these designs require extremely developed skills.
01:46 The artisan begins by marking the piece with vertical and horizontal guidelines.
01:51 The rest of the pattern will be filled in by eye.
01:56 The main tool is a cutting wheel.
02:02 Long experience and high skill allows him
02:05 to cut complex designs using only his simple guidelines.
02:09 [ Music ]
02:13 Starting with the larger patterns, he cuts away, adding finer and finer levels
02:18 of detail until eventually the chrysanthemum shapes emerge.
02:22 [ Music ]
02:27 My father would start each piece and we would finish it
02:30 by doing all the detailed work.
02:32 So I was part of a production line in a way.
02:34 But of course, I always wanted to create my own original pieces.
02:39 >> Shinozaki began creating his own designs from an early age.
02:44 This one has a star motif.
02:47 [ Music ]
02:50 One of his innovations is to carve designs in the base too.
02:55 His works feature striking contrast between colors and patterns.
03:02 Currently, there are about 100 active Edo Kiriko artisans.
03:08 Yamada No Yuri has been an innovator throughout her 15-year career.
03:16 >> I've always believed that the most important things
03:19 in life are those that we can't see.
03:23 So that's what I took as my theme.
03:27 In my work, I try to focus on the positive, for example,
03:30 on little things that illuminate our day with hope or joy.
03:36 >> Raindrops on chrysanthemum petals, each drop cut with a sensitive delicacy.
03:43 As the origin of all life, water is a natural expression of hope.
03:51 As I work, I often think how lucky I am to have a job
03:55 that brings hope into other people's lives.
04:00 Artisans like Yamada are changing Edo Kiriko with a stream
04:04 of fresh and unique designs.
04:07 Most artisans are now developing distinctly personal styles.
04:14 That has increased the variety of patterns,
04:17 and this is a golden age for our craft.
04:21 Edo Kiriko has changed with the times, but has lost none
04:24 of its power to fascinate and appeal.
04:27 [ Music ]
04:29 [ Silence ]
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