PIONEERING SPIRITS

Some art forms are so uniquely exquisite that they don’t just survive throughout the centuries, but actually thrive.

The intricate method of Edo Kriko glass carving is a prime example of this, and the craftspeople still practising this 200-year-old skill are proud to continue such a rich and valued custom. Yet they are still modern makers and careful about restricting their work by describing it as strictly traditional.

“Tradition really is a big word, laden with lots of different meanings,” explains third generation Edo Kiriko artisan Yoshiro Kobayashi. “It’s not something that is forced on anybody nor is it something that people carry on their backs, [but] something which I believe is born out of daily human activity and created organically from the repetition of that custom… something that connects everything.”

Precise repetition is crucial to the art of Edo Kiriko and years of practise and training are essential for any aspiring craftsperson. Kobayashi, like many of his peers, began his education at the tender age of 13 when he joined his father in his workshop.

“[Back then] you would shadow the senior artisans and learn from observing… you’d be up for 10 hours a day practising,” he says. “It really was gruelling work.”

He worked hard at developing his skills and admits he didn’t really feel like a true professional until he was recognised by his peers with a special award at the age of 33. It’s a demanding apprenticeship by any measure, but the years of training are essential as this form of glasswork, which originated in the Tokyo area at the end of the Edo period, is extremely meticulous and requires a degree of perfectionism that echoes the detail-oriented nature of Japanese culture.

For Kobayashi, the complexity of his work is crucial to ensuring a high quality finished product, as well as being central to the deep sense of fulfilment and pleasure that he derives from his craft.

“I’m certain this philosophy especially impacts an artisan’s work,” he says. “The tiniest intricacy takes on great importance. This is why they take great care whenever making anything. It’s about the personal satisfaction that the artisan derives from his work.”

Although he is passionate about the craft of Edo Kiriko and has derived enormous pleasure over the years, Kobayashi did not pressure his son to follow in his footsteps but rather encouraged him to explore alternative career options.

However the call of family history and tradition proved too strong, and his son Yohei has joined him in the family business, bringing a contemporary eye to the pieces but also continuing to produce work that has been appreciated and perfected by previous generations.

“Being able to do something you enjoy and make a living from it is wonderful,” Kobayashi says. “I feel glad that I chose this work.”