26081 Satsuma Glass Crafts Supervised by Shoko Shuseikan, Reconstructed Satsuma Kiriko, Colored Cut Glass Bowl

Height: 7.3cm
Diameter 10.8cm

Satsuma Kiriko, supervised by the Shoko Shuseikan Museum, is a reproduction of the "Satsuma Kiriko" technique created in the Satsuma domain at the end of the Edo period. Satsuma Kiriko is characterized by the unique shading and beautiful sparkle that is created by covering clear glass with a thick layer of colored glass and then cutting that colored glass. Currently, Satsuma Glass Crafts Co., Ltd. is an authentic kiln that continues the history of Satsuma Kiriko, producing it under the brand name "Shimazu Satsuma Kiriko" in the area where it was once made, Iso, Kagoshima City.

The history of Satsuma Kiriko
Satsuma Kiriko production began under Shimazu Narioki, the 10th lord of the Satsuma domain, and developed as part of the Shuseikan project during the reign of Shimazu Nariakira, the 11th lord. At its peak, it is recorded that over 100 craftsmen worked there, and Nariakira himself was a fan of Satsuma Kiriko, even using it as a wedding gift for Princess Atsuhime. However, after Nariakira's death, the turmoil of the late Edo period, and damage to factories during the Anglo-Satsuma War, the techniques were temporarily lost in the early Meiji period. After about 100 years, the Shimazu family restored the techniques of Satsuma Kiriko, reviving its brilliance in modern times.

Colored glass and the "blurring" technique
The main feature of restored Satsuma Kiriko is the "colored glass" and the resulting color gradation known as "blurring."

Colored glass: This is a technique of applying a thick layer of colored glass over clear glass. At the time, the only domain in Japan that possessed this technique was the Satsuma domain.

Blurring: When cutting a thick layer of colored glass, the color layer becomes thinner depending on the depth and angle of the cut, creating a beautiful gradation. This "blurring" expresses the warmth and delicacy unique to Satsuma Kiriko.
Material: Satsuma Kiriko is made from crystal glass with high transparency and refractive index, which gives off a rainbow-colored sparkle when exposed to light.

The colors of Satsuma Kiriko
Satsuma Kiriko comes in six traditional colors: crimson, indigo, green, yellow, golden red, and Shimazu purple. These colors are created by using minerals and temperature control as raw materials. Recently, a technique called "two-color overlay," which involves layering two colored glass layers, has been developed, allowing for an even more diverse range of colors to be expressed. Prices may vary depending on the color, due to differences in the raw materials needed to produce the colors.