A Clear Choice: Setting the Table with Glassware

There’s something refreshing about setting the table with glassware. It feels lighter, brighter—just right for warmer days. But without a bit of structure, clear plates can blend into the setting. That’s where pattern and texture come in.

On this early‑summer table setting, Edo Kiriko cut glass adds detail with precision to undo the difficulty of plain glass tableware. Paired with a solid base, colorful ingredients, and a few contrasting materials, the table comes together with a clear, layered look. Here's how to make it work.

When glassware takes center stage, it's all about balance—light, color, and contrast. On this table, half-moon-shaped oshiki placemats made of dark wood grain give each plate a stage to stand on. With that solid base in place, the Edo Kiriko plates shine beautifully instead of fading into the background.

To keep the table feeling fresh and seasonal, this setting pairs the cool clarity of Edo Kiriko with the soft celadon hue from Kosen Kiln. The contrast is subtle, soothing, and just right for early summer. The oval celadon plate is a quiet backdrop for sashimi, while the glass sashimi plate highlights the texture and color of each ingredient.

Small sake cups—like the Moegi Green Ochoko—prove surprisingly versatile: they’re perfectly sized for a single‑bite gourmet appetizer, a charming twist on familiar serveware.

The sake pot from Hirota Glass is unlike anything else on the table. Angular and weightless in appearance, its crisp handle and spout feel almost architectural—made for the season, but not bound by it. Inside, a ruby red cut glass insert adds a jewel-like depth that glows through the clear body, catching the sunlight.

It’s a piece that transforms a moment. As chilled sake is poured into wide sakazuki cups, there’s a quiet grace to the gesture—fluid and inviting. Set on a bamboo placemat, the sake setup is gently grounded by the greenery trailing across the table.

Etched with fine patterns and finished with sharply faceted edges, the rectangular cut glass plates also from Hirota Glass add more than just shine—they bring structure. Long enough to frame multiple dishes at once, these plates let you build compositions: slices of sashimi, a small dish of seafood, or a bright jelly appetizer.

Used across the setting, these gems create rhythm with their detailed cuts and precise geometry. Each plate offers a different delicacy, but the shape and texture tie it all together.

The elegant sparkle of cut-glass plates, the glint of red through a sake pot—the light and dazzle of Edo Kiriko and Edo glass will be the highlight of your table in the season ahead. Designed for sunlight and warmth, this glassware celebrates the season.

Founded in 1899 during Japan’s transformative Meiji era (1868–1912 CE), Hirota Glass stands as one of Tokyo’s oldest glassmakers. With over a century of expertise, the company preserves the delicate techniques of Edo glass and Edo Kiriko while reimagining classic styles. From soft Taisho-era (1912–1926 CE) curves to modern reinterpretations, each piece embodies a dedication to beauty, function, and traditional Japanese charm.