Shimadzu Satsuma Kiriko

Satsuma Kiriko was created in the mid-19th century under Lord Nariakira Shimazu as part of his efforts to promote new industries. Coloured overlay glass was deeply cut to produce bold patterns and rich colours, and the resulting pieces were highly valued both inside and outside Japan. However, historical upheavals such as wars and changes in production systems led to the decline of the craft, and by the early Meiji era production had effectively ceased.

In 1985 Shimadzu Ltd. started a restoration project and established Satsuma Glass Crafts. Craftspeople and researchers studied surviving pieces held at the Shoko Shuseikan Museum and other collections, measuring shapes and patterns in detail and analysing cut marks to infer the original tools and techniques. By repeatedly testing the raw materials, firing temperatures and forming methods, they succeeded in recreating the brilliance of Satsuma Kiriko using modern technology.

Building on the restored pieces, the brand has developed new series that reflect contemporary lifestyles, including the “Sosaku” creative series, the two-colour “Nishiki-e” series and the monochrome “Shimuja” series. The lineup ranges from sake cups and tumblers to vases, plates and accessories, making Satsuma Kiriko suitable for everyday use as well as for special gifts and commemorative occasions.

The factory of Satsuma Glass Crafts is located in Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City, near the historic Sengan-en Garden and the Shoko Shuseikan Museum. Gallery shops such as Iso Kogeikan and the Sengan-en brand shop allow visitors to see a wide variety of works first-hand and appreciate the weight, colours and patterns of the glass.

Through the restoration and subsequent development of new designs, Shimadzu Satsuma Kiriko has become a symbol of Kagoshima’s history and aesthetic sense translated into glass. By combining traditional techniques with contemporary design, the brand continues to introduce the appeal of Satsuma Kiriko to audiences in Japan and around the world.

Traditional craft revived after more than a century

Satsuma Kiriko was originally developed in the late Edo period at a government-operated glass factory run by the Satsuma domain. Production ceased in the early Meiji era, and the glassware became known as a “lost” craft. In 1985, Shimadzu Ltd. launched a restoration project, and in 1989 Shimadzu Satsuma Kiriko made by Satsuma Glass Crafts was officially designated as a Traditional Craft of Kagoshima Prefecture.

Soft “bokashi” colour gradation and crystal glass

A distinctive feature of Shimadzu Satsuma Kiriko is the soft colour gradation called “bokashi”. Clear glass is overlaid with coloured glass, which is then deeply cut so that the remaining thickness of the coloured layer creates a natural gradation from deep to pale tones. The use of crystal glass with high transparency and refractive index produces a rich sparkle that changes with the light and viewing angle.

Rich colours and contemporary series such as “Nishiki-e” and “Shimuja”

Shimadzu Satsuma Kiriko is renowned for its vibrant colours, including red, indigo, green, yellow, gold red and “Shimadzu purple”. The workshop has also developed the two-layered “Nishiki-e” series, in which two colours of glass are overlaid, as well as the monochrome “Shimuja” series featuring black and white tones. The official online shop allows customers to browse the collections by series, colour, price range and product category.