Edo Kiriko is crafted by artisans. Among these, large Edo Kiriko pieces such as bowls, vases, and large plates are created as "one-of-a-kind" works. These pieces are often made for exhibitions, displays, or custom orders, but what do they mean to the artisans who create them?

Here, we interview an artisan who dedicates himself to such one-of-a-kind "works." We ask about his creations and his passion for making them. This time, we speak with Kohei Kobayashi, the fourth-generation head of "Edo Kiriko Kobayashi," founded in 1908.

"Tidewaters" by Kohei Kobayashi

Kohei works with glass in the workshop in Sumiyoshi, Koto-ku, alongside his father, the third-generation head, Yoshiro. Although his parents, who knew the hardships of being an Edo Kiriko artisan, raised him saying, "'You should pursue another profession'," Kohei became interested in the world of Edo Kiriko after his host mother praised his father's work while he was studying abroad in university. Now, he is one of the most promising young Edo Kiriko artisans.

His style is well-regarded for its bold curves and modern design. "Tidewaters," a covered Kiriko bowl with a diameter of approximately 27cm and a height of 12cm, received the Newcomer's Award at the 66th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition.

"The keyword for this piece is 'Reiwa.' I created it in the first year of Reiwa, and it embodies my desire to continue expressing myself without being swept away by the changing times with the new era name.

I added an arrangement by making the chrysanthemum chain pattern on the top frosted glass. The other parts express rough waves with thin lines. The most challenging part was freehand marking out the wave cuts, which consist of countless thin lines. I spent more time than I expected, repeatedly drawing and erasing. It was difficult to adjust the undulation of the waves when viewed from above and from the side."

Edo Kiriko reveals various expressions depending on the viewing angle and how light hits it. With large pieces, the enjoyment is even richer, but the difficulty also increases. That's precisely why artisans are eager to take on the challenge. Large pieces require the high skill and power of Edo Kiriko artisans to realize innovative ideas.

Q & A

——Does creating "artwork" hold a special meaning for Edo Kiriko artisans?

"Normally, I primarily make glasses, so creating large pieces is a special time. The large glass blanks themselves are very precious, so failure is not an option, and since I work steadily until completion, it feels like running a full marathon."

——Do your feelings and process differ when making small items that fit in the palm of your hand, such as glasses or sake cups?

"Large pieces require even more physical and mental effort. Especially when applying intricate patterns to heavy glass blanks, the carving method changes from usual.
When carving small glasses, you press the glass against the grinder, but with large glass blanks, they are heavy, so they can be carved just by reducing the supporting force. Therefore, force adjustment is crucial, demanding not only skill but also an equal amount of physical strength. Carving each intricate pattern to the same depth and uniformity requires skill, but as the pieces become larger and heavier, even more advanced techniques are needed."

——What do you want to convey through your "artwork"?

"I believe large pieces are worth seeing because they offer a glimpse into an aspect of Edo Kiriko that cannot be seen in small glasses. Also, I think the artist's intentions are more strongly reflected in large pieces, so it's interesting to appreciate them in detail."

——Please tell us what you would like to try with large pieces in the future.

"Edo Kiriko has seen many new expressions emerge through the hands of many artisans. But I believe there must be an Edo Kiriko that no one has ever seen before. I hope to create such a piece someday. While continuing to explore new expressions, I want to create works that can be enjoyed by viewers through various attempts, without being fixated on a single style."

Kohei Kobayashi
Born in Tokyo in 1987. From 2010, he apprenticed under his father, Yoshiro, the third-generation head of "Edo Kiriko Kobayashi." While balancing daily work and creation, he has received various awards. In 2015, he established his own brand, "tokoba." He also started selling jewelry, attracting attention from people who had never encountered Edo Kiriko before.

*This article was written in 2023. Some products may be out of stock. Please inquire about availability.