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TOKYO ARTISAN

江戸切子

Edo-Kiriko

[Edo-Kiriko]

Cut Glass from Edo

Edo Kiriko glasswork is said to have its origins in the late Edo Period when a merchant by the name of Kagaya Kyubei, who ran a glassware shop in the Odenmacho area of Edo (modern Tokyo), made cuts into some glassware. Later, the Edo Kiriko craft grew in leaps and bounds, driven by the influx of western technologies during the modernization of Japan in the Meiji Period. Edo Kiriko is characterized by the glittering rainbow of colors emitted from the intricate patterns cut meticulously into clear, colorless glass. The beauty and delicacy of this glasswork led to the word giyaman (from the Dutch word for “diamond”, which were used to cut glass) being used colloquially to mean “beautiful woman”.

Edo Kiriko Craftsmann

Yoshirou Kobayashi

プロフィール
1950 Born in Koto Ward, Tokyo. After graduating from Meiji University, apprenticed under father Hideo.
1981 Selected for Japan Traditional Craft Association New Work Exhibit.
1983 Received Honorable Mention at the 30th Japan Traditional Craft Association Exhibit among various other honors.
2005 Certified as a Traditional Craftsman for Designated Traditional Craft Edo Kiriko by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
2009 Recognized as an Intangible Cultural Property by Koto Ward.

Lecturer of Edo Kiriko at Oedo Metropolitan High School.

インタビュー

江戸切子職人の家に生まれ、3代目として活躍する小林淑郎さん。「伝統の継承云々というより、仕事だからやってるんだよ」。東京下町の職人らしい威勢のいい口調で話してくれた小林さん。そっけない言葉とは裏腹に、伝統工芸士にも認定されている小林さんの作品は、ガラス全体にカットをちりばめた総柄の美しさ、洗練さが印象的です。

一方、4代目を継いだ息子・昂平さんの作品は、大胆な色使いとデザインが目を引きます。今では「親子展」を開催するほどですが、6年前、大学卒業を控えた昂平さんから跡を継ぐと言われたときは、職人が生きにくい時代に…と複雑な気持ちだったとか。早く一人前になってほしいと言いつつも、息子は天才と評する小林さん。昂平さんはすでに数々の賞を受賞、切子のアクセサリーを開発するなど、新しい時代に向かって活躍中です。「黙々と職人をやる時代じゃない。江戸切子を世の中にどんどん表現して説明していってほしいね」と江戸切子の未来を託しています。

Interview

Yoshirou Kobayashi is a third-generation Edo Kiriko glasswork craftsman. “For me it’s not about the sanctity of tradition—I do this because it’s my job,” he says, in the dignified tone of an old-town Tokyo craftsman. Despite his brusque words, Kobayashi’s work as a certified traditional craftsman is striking. The sophistication and beauty of the decorative patterns of inlaid cuts covering his glasswork leaves a lasting impression.

In contrast, the work of his son Kohei, who has taken up the mantle as fourth-generation craftsman, is eye-catching with his bold use of colors and designs. Today the duo can be seen holding father-son exhibits, but when Kohei announced that he intended to take over the family trade six years ago with university graduation fast approaching, the elder Kobayashi was conflicted; he felt times were tough for craftsmen trying to make a living. While he says he soon hopes to see his son standing on his own two feet as a full-fledged craftsman, he considers Kohei a natural talent. Kohei has already won many awards and developed Edo Kiriko glass accessories, venturing out and carrying the tradition into uncharted territories. Kobayashi has entrusted the future of Edo Kiriko glasswork to him, saying, “This is no time for the craftsman to remain stoic and silent regarding his craft. My hope is that he goes forward in conveying the art of Edo Kiriko to the world and spreading understanding of our tradition.”


Kobayashi Garasu Kougeisho

小林硝子工芸所

/ Shop Information :

Adress:2-9-6 Sarue, Koto-ku, Tokyo


/ Telephone:
03-3631-6457


/ Hours of Operation:
9:00~17:00



Closed:Sunday & National holidays

/ Website:
http://hw001.spaaqs.ne.jp/arazuri/