Taisho Roman Tokusa Single Flower Vase

This is a single flower vase from the Taisho Roman glass series by Hirota Glass, a long-established glass manufacturer in Tokyo.

This vase has a cute round body like a water balloon. The height is low, but the body is surprisingly large and stable.

The checkered pattern, traditionally called "Ichimatsu," conveys a nostalgic atmosphere. The pattern is also applied to the narrow part of the mouth.

This pattern is created not by painting or pigments, but by the "Aburidashi (invisible ink) technique," which uses specially blended glass materials to create an opalescent, milky-white pattern by the sudden temperature difference when molten glass comes into contact with a mold with a precisely engraved pattern.

The single-flower vases are packaged in a decorative box, making them ideal for gift-giving. 

Hirota Glass

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.

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is also a hub of craftsmanship. Among its many traditions, Edo Glass and Edo Kiriko are types of glassware that have been passed down for around 200 years in Edo—the former name for central Tokyo.

Their luminous surfaces echo centuries of craftsmanship, born in what was once Edo and still thriving in modern Tokyo.