Weeping Cherry Blossom Bowl

This bowl is adorned with the distinctly Japanese weeping cherry blossom, expertly carved by artisan Otomo Kenji using the Edo Hanakiriko technique. The bowl's hue is an ancient color, imbued with a subtle yellow tint, and aims to evoke a nostalgic atmosphere, making it perfectly suited for everyday use.

It not only showcases the color and state of the food within but also suits various tabletop materials. Enjoying the beautiful reflection it casts on the table is also a visual delight. Ideal for serving salads, desserts, or holding fruits, candies, or ice cream.

Edo Hanakiriko, a variant of the Edo Kiriko technique, was introduced to Japan from England during the Meiji era (1868 CE-1912 CE). It requires the masterful skills of an artisan to etch intricately detailed patterns onto the glass surface. This method is characterized by its use of depth and contrast to depict the elegant cuts of flora.

Only the branches are preliminarily sketched in the rendering of cherry blossoms and branches. Leaves and petals are directly drawn based on intuition, giving each bowl truly unique. Not every inch of the surface is covered in patterns, leaving some spaces blank, which reflects the Japanese cultural appreciation for the beauty of negative space.

The cherry blossoms, a motif long cherished by the Japanese, make this Edo Hanakiriko bowl a delightful choice for personal use or as a thoughtful gift.

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.

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is also a center of craftsmanship. Among them, Edo Glass and Edo Kiriko are traditional Japanese Glassware that have been handed down for about 200 years in Edo City, the old name for the central area of Tokyo.

These beautifully shining glasswares have been refined in Japan's largest consumer city, carrying on the good old Japanese tradition into the modern age.