[Kyo-Etsuke Glass] Kaiho Yagi Kaiho-gama Noodle Bowl Blue Maple | A Kyoto Miracle: The Painting Techniques of Kiyomizu-ware Brought to Glass
The transparency of glass and the delicate brushwork of Japanese painting fused together in a single vessel—it might be hard to believe at first that such a vessel could exist. The Kyo-Etsuke (Kyoto-painted) Glass created by the Kyoto workshop "Kaiho-gama" is a traditional craft unlike any other in the world, applying the color-painting techniques cultivated in Kiyomizu-ware to glass materials. In this article, I will introduce one of its representative works, the Kaiho Yagi Kaiho-gama Kyo-Etsuke Glass Noodle Bowl (Blue Maple).
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The item introduced here is the Kaiho Yagi Kaiho-gama Kyo-Etsuke Glass Noodle Bowl Blue Maple (¥6,600). It comes in a decorative box, making it a perfect gift.
Kiyomizu-ware techniques applied to glass—what is Kyo-Etsuke glass?
Kyo-Etsuke glass is a craft that applies the color-painting techniques of Kiyomizu-ware (Kyo-ware), which has been passed down in Kyoto since ancient times, to glass materials. Kiyomizu-ware painting is a technique where patterns are drawn on the base with overglaze enamels and then fired at low temperatures in a pottery kiln to set the colors. While this technique is straightforward to apply to ceramics and porcelain, applying it to glass, which is sensitive to temperature changes, was impossible without years of trial and error.
Artisan Kaiho Yagi of Kaiho-gama established a unique paint formulation and low-temperature firing technique tailored to the thermal expansion coefficient of glass through repeated experiments and failures. The result is Kyo-Etsuke glass that does not peel, does not fade, and retains its vividness forever. By transferring the delicate flower and bird patterns of Kiyomizu-ware onto glass, a unique beauty is born where the painting appears to float within the transparency, which is different from ceramics.
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Blue maple leaves breathing inside the vessel—the aesthetic of coolness created by patterns and materials
The noodle bowl introduced here features a "blue maple" pattern. The lush green maple leaves that shine from early summer to summer are delicately depicted with the brushwork of Japanese painting. While the painting sits on top of white porcelain or the base color in regular ceramics, the painted patterns on transparent glass allow light to pass through, appearing layered with the food or drink inside the vessel. When serving soba or somen noodles, the blue maple leaves look as if they are floating on the water's surface—an effect only possible because of the glass material.
With a diameter of approximately 17cm and a height of approximately 6.5cm, this size is perfect for comfortably serving a single portion of cold noodles, somen, or soba. As a glass noodle bowl that brings a sense of coolness to the summer dining table, you can enjoy both the seasonal feel and the beauty of traditional crafts. It is also deep enough to serve delicacies or appetizers as a small bowl, possessing a versatility that allows it to be used year-round as a presentation tool for Japanese cuisine.
The reason for choosing this product—a fusion of techniques no one else has done, a one-of-a-kind item in the world
The biggest reason for choosing Kyo-Etsuke glass is that it is a combination of techniques that is particularly rare among crafts existing in Japan. Glass craft and ceramic painting techniques usually belong to completely different worlds of artisans. Kaiho-gama is the only workshop in all of Japan where one artisan fuses these two and establishes them as a product. Also, the blue maple pattern is a motif that symbolizes summer in Kyoto, and the fact that the seasonal feel is conveyed to the recipient makes it a decisive factor for selection as a gift.
The price of ¥6,600 is very reasonable when considered as a traditional painted craft. It comes in a decorative box, making it suitable as a gift, and can be used for a wide range of occasions such as mid-year gifts (Ochugen), birthdays, and housewarming gifts.
Kaiho Yagi Kaiho-gama Kyo-Etsuke Glass Noodle Bowl Blue Maple ¥6,600 (Main featured product, comes in a decorative box)
Kaiho Yagi Kaiho-gama Katakuchi (Sake Pourer) Decorative Box Included Kyo-Etsuke Glass Kingfisher ¥4,950 (Katakuchi for sake/cold sake, No. 1 popularity)
Kaiho Yagi Kaiho Kiln Storage Jar Kyo-Etsuke Glass Strawberry ¥5,720(For storing strawberry jam, pickled plums, etc.)
I want to use it in these situations—from summer dining tables to special gifts
The Kyo-Etsuke glass noodle bowl shines brightest on the summer dining table. When serving chilled soba or somen noodles, the transparency of the noodles chilled in ice water combined with the blue maple pattern conveys a sense of coolness even just by looking at it. The cold touch of the glass is also comfortable for summer use, making it one of the few vessels where practicality and aesthetics align.
As a gift, it is particularly appreciated by those who love cooking, those interested in Japanese tableware, and those who love Kyoto. Because the term "Kyo-Etsuke Glass" itself is rare, it surprises the recipient, who may say, "I didn't know such a craft existed." During the O-chugen (mid-year gift) season, the summery blue maple pattern is valued as a seasonal gift.
It is also effective as an "accent color" for those who have a collection of Japanese tableware, by adding just one glass vessel to their table. By adding a single transparent glass noodle bowl among ceramic plates and bowls, a sense of lightness and an accent are created for the entire dining table.
Care and storage—to use glass vessels beautifully for a long time
The Kyo-Etsuke glass noodle bowl can be washed with neutral detergent and a soft sponge, just like regular glass tableware. However, to protect the baked-on painted layer, please avoid metal scrubbers or cleansers containing abrasives. Also, since it is not compatible with microwaves or dishwashers, hand washing is the standard. After washing, wiping it carefully with a dry cloth will help maintain the glass's transparency for a long time.
For storage, it is ideal to avoid stacking and instead store it in a gift box or wrapped in cloth. Since direct contact with hard objects on the painted surface can cause scratches, care must be taken when storing it in a cupboard. If used with care, the painting will maintain its beauty without fading.
Other Kyoto and Kyo-yaki painting crafts you may want to consider
Please also enjoy the world of Kiyomizu-ware, which is the root of the Kyo-Etsuke glass technique.
[Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-ware] Hagi-gasane Mug | The beauty of Kyoto's colored porcelain
Kaiho Yagi Kaiho Kiln Katakuchi (Sake Pourer) Kyo-Etsuke Glass Kingfisher (¥4,950) is a masterpiece where the blue of the kingfisher and the transparency of the vessel overlap when pouring chilled sake. The blue feather pattern of the kingfisher shines within the glass, creating a special drinking occasion combined with the beautiful hue of the sake.
Kaiho Yagi Kaiho Kiln Storage Jar Kyo-Etsuke Glass Strawberry (¥5,720) is a piece that looks great as a decorative item while being used to store strawberry jam, pickled plums, and more. It makes the most of the characteristics of glass material, where the pattern can be seen through even when filled with food.
Points to consider when choosing for gifts and anniversaries
The Kyo-Etsuke glass noodle bowl is a gift that can be chosen with the recipient's preferences and the season in mind. Adding a story to match the recipient's interests—such as proposing it as a "vessel to make summer dining tables beautiful" for cooking enthusiasts, as a "crystallization of Kyoto's craft techniques" for Kyoto lovers, or as a set with a Katakuchi for sake lovers—will deepen the impression. It comes in a gift box, so no separate wrapping is needed. It is perfect for when you are looking for something that is not too formal but is a bit different from ordinary gifts, such as for O-chugen (July-August), birthdays, housewarming gifts, or gifts for parents.
Summary
Kyo-Etsuke Glass, which applies the color-painting techniques of Kiyomizu-ware to glass, is a unique existence in the history of Japanese crafts. Thanks to the firing technology established by Mr. Kaiho Yagi through many years of trial and error, blue maple leaves reside forever within the transparent glass. "Beautiful to look at, beautiful to use"—by adding one such vessel to your daily life, your dining time will become a little richer.Kyo-Etsuke Glass is a unique existence in the history of Japanese crafts.
See Kaiho Yagi Kaiho Kiln Kyo-Etsuke Glass Noodle Bowl Blue Maple (¥6,600) on Amazon
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*This article contains affiliate links using the Amazon Associates Program. If you make a purchase through these links, the author will receive a certain commission, but this does not affect the selection or evaluation of the products in any way.