1. Edo glass
"Ukiyoe glass" is made from Edo glass, a traditional craft of the country.
Edo glass is a hand-made glass product, inheriting the traditions of the Edo period（A.D. 1603-1868）.
The famous "Edo Kiriko" is one of the products made from Edo glass.
2. Work of artisans
① Designing
This is an original design combining Ukiyoe and traditional Japanese patterns.
These traditional patterns are also used on the kimono worn by the people depicted in ukiyoe, and each pattern has its own meaning.
② Cutting
The design is printed on a sheet, affixed to the glass and cut with a cutter. It's very detailed and skilled handwork process.
③Deep Carving and Gradation
Sandblasting(*) is a technique in which a machine blows sand onto the cut portion of the sheet to engrave it.
The main feature of sandblasting is its ability to create deep carvings and gradations.
This is a feature that cannot be expressed in "Edokiriko," which is made from the same glassware.
◆Technique 1 : Deep Carving
Cut and remove the sheet for the part to be carved deeper first and blast it off. Only cut the part to be carved later.
The timing for removing the sheet is a multi-step process, so careful planning is required.
◆Technique 2 : Gradation
Adjust the amount of sand sprayed to get the right shade.
Too much blasting can't be undone, so this is a careful process!
◆Sandblasting(*)
Sandblasting creates a frosted glass surface that can be sandblasted with the beautiful patterns and illustrations characteristic of sandblasting.
It is more capable of expressing curves and detailed designs than Edo-kiriko.
3. artisans/Designer
雫色 Shizuku-iro
I use the sandblasting technique to make glassware that is mainly inspired by ukiyoe.
I have been interested in traditional Japanese culture since I was a child, and I started making ukiyo-e glasses because I wanted many people to enjoy ukiyo-e while drinking alcohol.
At present, I am mainly involved in stalls at various events and selling on the internet.