Kagami Crystal

from the 1/99 paper Ibaraki Report

The Kagami Crystal Factory is considered to be one of the most famous crystal factories not only in Japan, but in the world. It is located in Ryūgasaki-shi, in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture. Kagami specializes in household glass fabrication, and their reputation as craftsmen is recognized by specialists all around the world.

Glassware art was introduced into Japan during the Nara Era (奈良時代： 710–794), but it remained exclusively in the realm of the aristocracy. It was only during the Meiji Era (明治時代: 1868–1912) that the craft came into general use. Japanese table art up until the Meiji Era consisted only of non-transparent crafts, such as ceramics. Glass and its utilization in daily life is a relative recent development.

Kagami Crytal Co., Ltd. was established in 1934 by Kōzō Kagami (各務鑛三). Kōzō, after studying traditional ceramic arts, decided to specialize in the field of glasswork. He realized that he needed to perfect his art, so he decided to go to Germany, which was and still is one of the most prominent centers of crystal work in the world. Upon his return to Japan, he devoted himself to the promulgation of crystal art and introduced various hand techniques such as engraving. A technique of hand cutting, known as Edo-Kiriko (江戸切子) had already been established, but Kōzō's efforts helped to widen this field further.

For Kōzō, hand engraving and cutting was an art, and modern-day masters of his crystal production techniques still work to maintain that hand-crafted tradition. Indeed, it is the essential philosophy of the Kagami Crystal Factory.

There are various international criteria which must be respected in order for glasswork to qualify as "crystal." The raw materials used must contain very high quality silicon with 24% lead monoxide, which serves to make the glass transparent and bright, give it a sense a satisfying heaviness, and produce a brilliant ringing tone when struck.

Crystal by these standards was first produced during the 17th century, and in the rest of the world, much like Japan, was used almost exclusively by the privileged classes until recently. Kagami crystal is no exception, and today embassies, government ministers, and even the Imperial Household makes use of Kagami crystal glasses for official receptions, all clearly representative of the prestige and quality of Japanese crystal arts. Still, in response to public demands, Kagami Crystal has diversified its production and lowered prices, while still maintaining a very high level of quality for its glassware. Though these more widely available crystalline crafts are mass-produced, it has become factory policy to respect the same level of quality in these products as can be found in the more expensive hand-crafted crystal wares.

To say that Kagami Crystal approaches its work with passion is no exaggeration. The craftsmen employed there are devoted and proud of their job. The master craftsmen set excellent examples for the artisans and novices who strive for excellence in their work. A prime example of such devotion is evident in the case of Mr. Toshiaki Watanabe, one of the most famous master craftsmen of crystal in Japan. After a serious illness and three months of hospitalization, he returned to work the very day that he was released from the hospital. He told me he had to do so, so that he could continue to perfect the crafts that he had yet to master. Such a lesson in humility and steadfastness I had never seen.