Hirota Glass
Hirota Glass, founded in 1899, is one of Tokyo's oldest glassmakers. Utilizing designs passed down since its inception, Hirota Glass produces items such as glass cups and bowls that seamlessly blend with modern home decor while preserving the traditional techniques of Japanese glassblowing and Edo Kiriko.
History of Hirota Glass
When Hirota Glass was founded, Japan was in the Meiji Era (1868 CE–1912 CE), a time marked by the Industrial Revolution and increasing Westernization of the townscapes.
During this era, Japanese and Western arts, crafts, architecture, and designs began to blend. By the Taisho Era (1912 CE–1926 CE), this fusion gave rise to "Taisho Romanticism," a unique aesthetic style of the time.
In 2002, Hirota Tatsuo, the third director of Hirota Glass, began reviving the classic glassware styles popular during the Taisho Era. Today, the exotic charm of Taisho Romanticism continues to be reflected in Hirota Glass's creations.
Each series from Hirota Glass boasts a unique, enchanting name that perfectly captures its essence.
Taisho Roman
In the 1980s, Hirota Glass designed the Taisho Roman series, recreating products through trial and error to revive the "milky-white glass" production method that was prominent during the Meiji and Taisho eras.
View ItemsFour Seasons Color
This series captures the light of the changing seasons, featuring four colors: spring's yellow blooms, summer's verdant growth, autumn's shining red leaves, and winter's twinkling midnight blue sky. These colors are perfect for creating a table setting with a seasonal feel.
View ItemsArare
The word arare means hail. By carving fine, diamond-like patterns of kiriko (glass cutting) on the bottom of the sake carafe or sake cup, it creates a beautiful effect that resembles hailstones falling into the poured sake.
View ItemsBamboo
This pieces in this series are designed in the shape and color of bamboo, a plant representative of Asia. The sake pitcher and sake cups are perfect for adding an exotic atmosphere to your home decor while giving a contemporary impression.
View ItemsSoba Choko Cups with Lid
For those who appreciate the intricate beauty of Edo Kiriko, the exquisite craftsmanship and unique design of the soba choko cups make them an ideal choice.
View ItemsSoy Sauce Dispenser
Hirota Glass was the first company to produce glass soy sauce dispensers with frosted glass joints, a design that has now become the standard. These dispensers are not only beautiful but also easy to use, and they have become long sellers due to their reputation for not leaking or dripping.
View ItemsTaisho Roman
This is one of Hirota Glass's most popular series, featuring patterns of clear glass and milky white glass. Only antique stores or Hirota Glass can offer the glassware with searing technique of milky white glass, which was popular in the Meiji and Taisho periods.
Karai
Meaning "flower bud," the products of this name are, as the name suggests, elegantly shaped like a bud of flowers. This glassware series are also combines traditional techniques and designs such as Edo Kiriko, essence of Taisho Romanticism, and “Kan-nyu” which Edo Glass technique that creates ice-like patterns.
Chirori
“Chirori" is a unique Japanese tool made of tin or copper for heating sake, but Hirota Glass has created a beautiful glass version. This series is made of heat-resistant glass and can be used both hot and cold.
Yukinohana
Means “Snow Flower”, is a Japanese word that expresses the image of snow crystals or snowdrops blooming in the snowfall. This is an emotional series made using the same molds that have been used by Hirota Glass since the Showa Period (1926-1989).
Uruoshi
It is a Japanese word meaning "water moisture”. It is a series of glass bottles made of highly transparent glass with a pure, clear atmosphere with a unique form.
Kagome
It is the name of a traditional Japanese pattern, meaning the mesh of a basket woven of bamboo, and has been an emblem to repel evil since ancient times. This product is a reproduction of an excellent piece of pressed glass (“Oshigata”) remaining from Hirota Glass's 50-year catalog.