Type: Edo Kiriko (Japanese traditional cut glass) Title: "Aisai" Cut-Glass Flower Vase (Hanaire) — Spherical Form in Deep Blue Overlay Glass with Diamond and Star Cutting, with Original Signed Wooden Box This is a beautiful Japanese Edo Kiriko cut-glass flower vase in a rounded, spherical form. Clear crystal is layered with a deep cobalt-blue overlay, which is then hand-cut to reveal a brilliant lattice of diamonds and radiating stars. It is presented in its original signed wooden box (tomobako). About the Tradition — Edo Kiriko Edo Kiriko is a traditional Japanese cut-glass craft that began in Edo (present-day Tokyo) in 1834, when a glass merchant first engraved patterns into glass using emery sand. In the Meiji era, techniques from British cut glass and from the discontinued Satsuma Kiriko tradition — including the use of colored overlay (iro-kise) glass — were absorbed, establishing the refined craft that continues today. Edo Kiriko was designated a Traditional Craft of Tokyo in 1985 and a National Traditional Craft of Japan in 2002. Its beauty is admired worldwide, and it was even chosen for the interior of the Tokyo Skytree. About the Technique The defining feature of Edo Kiriko is the contrast created by cutting through a thin colored overlay to the clear crystal beneath, producing sharp, vivid, jewel-like facets. Remarkably, the artisan works without a detailed drawn design — only a few guide lines — relying on years of experience to carve the pattern by hand against a spinning wheel. Deep cobalt-blue pieces like this one are considered especially demanding, since the darker the color, the harder it is to see the guide lines and cut with precision. The result here is a dense, all-over pattern of diamonds and eight-pointed stars that catches and refracts light like a kaleidoscope. Form & Appeal The generous spherical body gives the vase real presence and offers a wide canvas for the cutting, so that light plays across the whole surface. It functions beautifully as a flower vase (hanaire) for a single stem or a small arrangement, and is equally striking as a standalone decorative object or centerpiece. A piece like this makes an outstanding gift and will appeal to collectors of Japanese glass, traditional crafts, and blue art glass. Condition In wonderful condition with no chips, cracks, scratches, or damage. A beautiful piece. Please review all photos, which form part of the description. Shipping from Japan with tracking number and insurance. As this is a glass item, it will be packed with particular care. Fast dispatch via FedEx or DHL. Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges and are the buyer's responsibility. These are normally collected by the delivering carrier or on pickup — please do not confuse them with additional shipping charges.