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Spiral of Life Примарна функција: Стаклен прибор за јадење by Keiji Ishikawa

Spiral of Life Примарна функција: Стаклен прибор за јадење by Keiji Ishikawa is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Златна награда A' Design Award in Дизајн на производи за печење, трпезариски, за пиење и за готвење Competition Category.


ЗлатнаКујнски производи· 2026

Spiral of Life Примарна функција: Стаклен прибор за јадење

by Keiji Ishikawa

Client: KJ studio

Златна награда A' Design Award Winner in Кујнски производи Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181198

Colors

The Design

About Spiral of Life Примарна функција: Стаклен прибор за јадење

Текст од книгата: Во спој на математичка структура и кинетичка уметност, проектот Спирала на животот претставува нова насока за стакларијата Кирико. Ова дело ја долавува органската осцилација на природата во стаклен медиум. Развојот произлезе од соработката помеѓу дизајнерот и Ри, танчерка со боја. Преведувајќи ги Фибоначиевите низи во движење, Ри ја обезбеди концептуалната рамка за дизајнот. Преку спиралните односи од 8 до 13 и од 13 до 21, занаетчијата го поврзува традиционалниот занает со биоматематиката. Добиената хармонија нуди ритмичко искуство што го одразува природниот пулс на светот.

The Recognition

About the Златна награда A' Design Award

Spiral of Life Примарна функција: Стаклен прибор за јадење е добитник на Златната награда A' Design Award, високо престижно признание што се доделува на првокласни, прекрасни и одлични дизајни. Златните добитници се многу иновативни, визионерски и заслепувачки сјајни творби што го одразуваат талентот, мудроста и мајсторството на нивните дизајнери. Се очекува Spiral of Life Примарна функција: Стаклен прибор за јадење да биде високо пофален, трендсетерски и монументален пронајдок што носи невидена вредност. Овој дизајн со Златна награда е прекрасен, ценет проект што ги поместува границите на уметноста, науката, дизајнот и технологијата. Spiral of Life Примарна функција: Стаклен прибор за јадење создава силна желба, буди страст, поттикнува креативност и маѓепсува.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Fibonacci spirals follow strict mathematical laws yet appear organic and asymmetrical, resisting simple geometric repetition. Traditional Kiriko requires precise vertical and horizontal guidelines before cutting; however, standard grids cannot capture this natural fluctuation while ensuring reproducibility. To solve this, I developed a hybrid approach: maintaining the Fibonacci count with guidelines while manually adjusting each cut to ensure a smooth, living trajectory.
Dimensions & Packaging
The product dimensions are as follows: The rock glass is 77mm in diameter and 92mm in height, as shown in the main image. In optional image #1, the wine glass is 58mm in diameter and 150mm in height. In optional image #2, the soba cups are 81mm in diameter and 62mm in height. In optional image #3, the sake cup is 60mm in diameter and 60mm in height. Finally, the top views of the sake cup and soba cup filled with water are shown in optional image #4.
Tags
kiriko, cutglass, japaneseglassware, glassart
Production Technology
The double-layered glassware is carefully ground and polished by hand using Japanese Kiriko cut glass technology.
Design Challenge
Through rigorous prototyping, I established a specialized system. Smaller vessels like sake cups use an 8 to 13 spiral ratio, while larger items like wine and rock glasses employ a 13 to 21 ratio to maintain proportion. For vessels with decorative bases, such as a soba cup, I meticulously integrated an 8 to 13 spiral on the bottom to enhance aesthetic coherence. This precise scaling was essential to capturing the Spiral of Life across the entire collection.
Research
A true Fibonacci spiral requires clockwise and counterclockwise counts to be adjacent numbers in the sequence. To ensure visual balance and mathematical integrity, I conducted extensive research to determine the optimal pairings, such as 8 to 13 or 13 to 21, based on specific glass diameters and curvatures. This study ensured that the mathematical beauty remains consistent.
Inspiration
I initially struggled to translate the relationship between the sun and the sunflower into glass. The breakthrough came via my daughter Ree, an artist and paint dancer, who shared my fascination with the sunflower Fibonacci spiral. This pattern blends mathematical law with organic asymmetry. Ree physicalized this sequence by synchronizing her leg drawn spiral counts with Fibonacci numbers. Witnessing this kinetic manifestation inspired me to transpose these complex spirals onto Kiriko glass.
Project Duration
The project started in December 2025 in Tokushima, Japan, and finished in February 2026.
Operation Flow
The streamline motifs are executed with wide-angle V cuts. When viewed from the side, patterns on the far surface refract through the front, creating complex layered intersections that evoke the mystery of life. From a top-down perspective, the precise Fibonacci sequence achieves a profound, harmonious balance. The design invokes a rhythmic and engaging experience, mimicking a living pulse. This interaction between light and geometry brings dynamic vitality to the glassware.
Patents
The design is being applied for design registration and will receive copyright protection for registered designs in December 2026 in Japan.
Image Credits
Video Credits:
To demonstrate the rhythmic harmony and life-like pulse of the design, the video showcases the glassware in rotation. This highlights how the patterns shift and intersect dynamically as the perspective changes, illustrating the Spiral of Life concept through the interaction of light, shadow, and the intricate Kiriko hand cuts.

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