One of Tokyo’s homegrown crafts, edo kiriko is the art of cutting beautiful geometric patterns into colourful glassware. The art has been around for nearly 200 years, and there are still artisans in Tokyo dedicated to creating the most beautiful glass tableware and accessories, such as Sokichi in Asakusa.
Edo kiriko can be etched into many types of glassware including sake glasses, tea cups and even flower vases. At Sokichi, you can try crafting a kiriko glass after being inspired by the samples provided.
The workshop takes about 90 minutes and is available in Japanese, English and Chinese. You can etch a design on either transparent or coloured glass, with designs ranging from simple beginner styles to more difficult, elaborate patterns.