Bi no Takumi Glass Studio Deshimaru
Holding up "Roka Junsei" — a Kirishima glass studio conveying Satsuma Kiriko techniques to today.
Bi no Takumi Glass Studio Deshimaru is a Satsuma Kiriko and Kirishima Kiriko glass studio based in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. While inheriting Satsuma Kiriko techniques born in Kagoshima in the 19th century, with the phrase "Roka Junsei" (Pure Blue Furnace Flame) as motto, the studio produces vessels, accessories, and glass art works accompanying modern living. The official site introduces lineups — Satsuma Kiriko, Kirishima Kiriko, ecoKIRI, Fusion — plus Satsuma Kiriko cutting experiences and event/exhibition information.
Why We Love It
The idea of "ecoKIRI" — upcycling Satsuma Kiriko waste material — is wonderful! The achievement of making Satsuma Kiriko — once "a flower out of reach" — into something that can be casually enjoyed as accessories is significant. The sparkle of crystal glass born from Master Deshimaru's passion is genuine, even if small. For travel souvenirs or gifts to important people, won't you give a sparkle with a story?
PROFILE About the Company / Workshop
On the official site, Satsuma Kiriko is introduced as "the traditional sparkle of Satsuma born in Kagoshima around the end of the samurai era — praised worldwide from those times." Bi no Takumi Glass Studio Deshimaru operates based in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, as a studio conveying Satsuma Kiriko techniques to today.
In the top page's "Discover Craftsmanship." chapter, the Kiriko master's life is likened to the path of "Roka Junsei" — spoken of as an endless challenge of continuing to polish technique to the limit. The studio is introduced as a place where Kiriko masters centered on Tsutomu Deshimaru, along with young artisans who knocked on the door, gather and daily train.
While noting that Kiriko master techniques have been taught as techniques for tracing tradition, at Deshimaru, the writing notes the studio has started walking "the path of creating new value with techniques refined by oneself." Reinterpreting traditional techniques as matching the era's demands and connecting to new expressions — that's a major theme of the workshop.
On the site, series compositions are shown — "Satsuma Kiriko" conveying 19th-century-born techniques to today, "Kirishima Kiriko" expressing the natural beauty of the Kirishima mountain system, "EcoKiri" reborn from Satsuma Kiriko waste material into accessories, and "Fusion" depicting original landscapes with stained-glass-like expression.
Also, in "Activity Satsuma Kiriko Cutting Experience," a cutting experience where you can create accessories and ochoko together with a Kiriko master is guided. The cutting experience / shop "ART DESHIMARU" and the HQ factory contact / address are listed as "Contact Info." Works produced at the workshop can be picked up at the Hayato-cho shop and online store.
A Satsuma Kiriko studio connecting techniques born in the samurai era to today
On the official site, Satsuma Kiriko is explained as "the traditional sparkle of Satsuma born in Kagoshima around the end of the samurai era — praised worldwide from those times." Bi no Takumi Glass Studio Deshimaru welcomes visitors to the world of Satsuma Kiriko — sharing works, galleries, and experience menus as a studio conveying 19th-century-born techniques to today.
The craftsmanship attitude contained in the motto "Roka Junsei"
On the top page, the phrase "Roka Junsei" is introduced as meaning that artistry reaches the highest realm — just as the furnace flame becomes pure blue and temperature reaches the highest. At Deshimaru, with this phrase as the axis, the workshop holds up the attitude of continuing to refine techniques without limit and exploring the highest sparkle in creation.
Message by Craftsman Tsutomu Deshimaru
On the official site, as "Craftsman Tsutomu Deshimaru," the thoughts are woven — being attracted to Satsuma Kiriko's appeal and aspiring to be a Kiriko master, and continuing to evaluate oneself from inside and outside through works. Also, reinterpreting traditional techniques as matching the era's demands and creating new value — that is the road the studio walks.
Four worlds: Satsuma Kiriko, Kirishima Kiriko, ecoKIRI, and Fusion
The top page introduces the work world in four sections — "Satsuma," "Kirishima," "EcoKiri," "Fusion." Traditional Satsuma Kiriko, Kirishima Kiriko as a new trend, ecoKIRI accessories leveraging waste materials, Fusion with stained-glass-like expression — a diverse lineup based on Satsuma Kiriko techniques is the characteristic.
"Activity: Satsuma Kiriko Cutting Experience"
In the "Activity Satsuma Kiriko Cutting Experience" section, an experience program is guided where you can create a one-of-a-kind Satsuma Kiriko together with a Kiriko master. According to the official site, you can produce original accessories like "ecoKIRI" and ochoko (sake cups) usable for nightcaps — accepted by complete reservation system.