Exquisite detail, across four generations

When the pattern Kikutsunagi (Chrysanthemum chain) is complete in cut glass across an entire piece, the result is known as Sougiriko. Straight lines need to be cut again and again across the glass surface, and if they do not cross in the correct locations, then Sougiriko will not be achieved. It is a technique to test the skill of the craftsperson. The Kobayashi Glass workshop was one of the first to achieve Sougiriko, and to describe the main characteristic of this work is to describe exquisite detail. The skill of Edo Kiriko cut glass was initially cultivated in the state-run Shinagawa Glassworks in the Meiji period (1868-1912). Here the British glass engineer Emmanuel Hauptmann was employed to instruct students who included Tokumatsu Ohashi. Ohashi in turn acted as mentor to Kikuichiro Kobayashi, the founder of Kobayashi Glass. One characteristic of the method used in the Kobayashi studio is an additional process in making cut glass. Whereas it is typical to mark guidelines onto the glass, and move to first main cuts, the Kobayashi craftsmen engrave lines onto the glass prior to cutting with a “sujibori” technique. With this process which began with the company’s second generation, they believe they can achieve even more precise results. The exquisite detail in the studio’s work began with its first generation: Kikuichiro, and its techniques were passed to Hideo, Yoshiro and now to the forth generation: Kohei Kobayashi.

Edo Kiriko Kobayashi
2-9-6, Sarue, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0003
Tel:+81-3-3631-6457
Yoshiro Kobayashi
del2salusa1@yahoo.co.jp