kiriko 切子

Kiriko is a glass-cutting technique in which patterns are cut into the surface of glassware using metal discs or whetstones. Edo Kiriko, born in 19th-century Edo (Tokyo) from a European cut-glass technique, is a representative form; today most pieces use irokise (colored overlay) glass, in which a thin layer of colored glass over clear glass produces sharp, contrasting cuts.

The cutting technique creates luminous lines and patterns in the glass. When colored glass is used, the cuts reveal the transparent glass beneath, creating an intermingling color effect between the cut and uncut surfaces.