KAGAMI CRYSTAL
Crystal glass refers to glass that is as transparent as crystal. Crafted from carefully selected, high-purity raw materials, combined with refined designs and masterful techniques, the finest crystal glass possesses exceptional transparency, a radiant brilliance, and a clear, resonant tone. Types of crystal glass include red crystal, Kali crystal, and barium crystal.
Colored Overlay Crystal Glass
Colored overlay crystal glass is created by applying a thin layer of colored crystal glass over the surface of clear, transparent crystal glass. Through cutting or intricate gravure engraving, the underlying transparent crystal glass is revealed, forming a vivid contrast with the colored crystal glass.
Notably, Kagami Crystal's red overlay crystal glass is characterized by the use of pure gold in its coloration, producing what is known as "kin-aka" or gold-red. This creates a vibrant hue and an exceptionally beautiful contrast with the clear, transparent crystal glass. Kagami Crystal employs its proprietary techniques to produce strikingly vivid colored overlay crystal glass.
Kozo Kagami, the founder of Kagami Crystal, worked for Minami Manchuria Glass, a subsidiary of the South Manchuria Railway Company, at a time when modern glass craftsmanship had yet to be established in Japan. In 1927 (Showa 2), he fulfilled his long-standing aspiration to study in Germany, where he mastered techniques for processing crystal glass, particularly gravure engraving, before returning to Japan.
In 1930 (Showa 5), he founded the "Kagami Crystal Art Glass Research Institute" in Takinogawa, Tokyo, and began creating works featuring cut and gravure engraving designs.
In 1934 (Showa 9), Kagami established Japan's first fully integrated production facility dedicated to crystal glass, the "Kagami Crystal Manufacturing Plant", in Kamata, Tokyo. This marked the start of domestic production of crystal glass in Japan.
1937: Awarded the Honorary Prize at the Paris Exposition Universelle.
1939: Awarded the Honorary Prize at the New York World's Fair.
1943: Commissioned to produce furnishings for the Imperial Household. Since then, has had the honor of serving the Imperial Household.
1952: Began supplying crystal products as furnishings for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas diplomatic missions.
1960: Kozo Kagami received the Japan Art Academy Prize for his crystal bowl.
1974: Crystal tableware was selected for state banquets at the Akasaka Palace, the State Guest House of the Prime Minister's Office (now the Cabinet Office).
1997: Designated as a traditional craft of Ibaraki Prefecture.