Bronze Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design · 2021
Limpid Stream Glass Tableware
- A' Design Award 2021 Bronze Winner in Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: KJ studio
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 15,654
- Verification code 0C35516D97 · Verify this award
About Limpid Stream Glass Tableware
The design Limpid Stream is a mass of rhythmically arranged cat's pupil and it makes people feel as if they filled in the flow of waterfall. And the upper view of a mass of cat's pupils is interesting by reflecting the other cat's pupils when transparent liquor is poured because the cat's pupil is cut into V shape at a wide angle. So this visual effect makes mind refreshed in the water flow and gives people a sense of peace of mind. There are various types of Limpid Stream glassware such as wine glasses, sake cups, plates and rocks glasses, which enrich daily life.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The designed glassware is in the motif of Limpid Stream. It has a beautiful visual effect which makes mind refreshed in the water flow and gives people a sense of well-being and peace of mind. Also, it makes the liquor and dishes more delicious. This design is a mass of rhythmically arranged cat's pupil and it makes you feel as if you comfortably filled in the flow of water. As you see, there are various types of glassware such as wine glasses, sake cups, plates and rocks glasses.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The product dimensions are as follows: In the main image, the wine glass is 58mm in diameter and 150mm in height, the sake cup is 60mm in diameter and 60mm in height. In the optional image #1 the wine glass is 68mm in diameter and 174mm in height. In the optional image #3 the plate is 150mm in diameter and 33mm in height. In the optional image #4 the rocks glass is 77mm in diameter and 92mm in height.
- 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
- The wheels installed in the grinding machine sold to a general user, cannot cut the shape of cat's pupil. So I calculated the cutting-plane angle of the wheel and ordered the customized wheel to a manufacturer of grinding machine.
- Project Duration
- The project started in May 2019 in Tokushima, Japan and finished in December 2019, and the design got a copyright in registered designs in July 1st 2020 in Japan.
- Operation Flow
- The top view of the glass tableware realized by Limpid Stream is very beautiful because a mass of cat's pupils is reflecting the other cat's pupils inside the glass by cutting the cat's pupil into V shape at a large angle shown in the optional image #2. And the design is not only beautiful but also very smooth to the touch and shock-resistant because the cut of cat's pupil is shallow in depth.
- Research
- In order to realize the project Limpid Stream, it was necessary to prepare for the grinding machine to cut the shape of cat's pupil.
- Inspiration
- Through Japanese Kiriko cut glass, the project has aimed to enrich human lives. The idea of a Limpid Stream is come up with because at one point, the flow of water in nature healed human feelings and the design pattern was inspired by the rhythmic sound of water.
- Image Credits
- Video Credits:
The top view of the glass tableware realized by Limpid Stream is so beautiful as if you filled in the flow of shining water in nature healed human feelings when water is poured, shown in the video. - Patents
- Patented. Design registration No.1663995, Keiji Ishikawa, 2020, Japan Patent Office.
Colors of Limpid Stream Glass Tableware
Grand Interview about Limpid Stream Glass Tableware
I was experimenting with expressing the flow of water by arranging streamlined droplets. I eventually arrived at a design where I rhythmically layered what I call "cat's pupil patterns" with fine, streamlined cuts, leaving small and large gaps. In kiriko glass cutting, layering numerous intricate cuts is essential to achieve a balanced arrangement. However, as no preliminary sketching is possible, it requires years of craftsmanship to maintain balance while executing the cuts skillfully. The result was the creation of a fantastical visual effect.
The "cat's pupil pattern" was inspired and designed while exploring droplet shapes necessary to express water flow. The cutting angles of the grinding wheel attached to the kiriko glass-cutting machine were precisely calculated to cut this cat's pupil pattern. Since standard commercial products couldn't accommodate the required specifications, a specially customized grinding wheel was ordered from the manufacturer.
The shape of the "cat's pupil pattern" changes depending on the cutting angle of the grinding wheel. Therefore, simulations were conducted in advance to analyze the grinding shapes at different angles. By arranging these simulated shapes, extensive trial and error was undertaken to determine how the overall design balance would be affected. Through this process, the most optimal wheel angle was derived.
This two-layered glass is crafted with a transparent inner layer and a thin-colored glass layer on the outer surface. Using a grinding wheel to shave the surface, the colored glass is removed, exposing the transparent glass beneath. At this stage, the ground transparent glass takes on a frosted appearance. It is further polished with several polishing wheels to restore transparency, resulting in a beautifully shimmering kiriko glass.This design consists of a collection of numerous "cat's pupil patterns," and each ground pattern must be carefully polished individually. This process demands significant patience and concentration to achieve the desired result.
Arranging the "cat's pupil patterns" like a jigsaw puzzle and intentionally leaving certain pieces unfilled in a regular pattern achieves a pleasantly rhythmic beauty. Furthermore, to make the drink's color visible when poured, it was necessary to maximize the size of each piece and increase the transparent areas. To accomplish this, the gaps between adjacent patterns were meticulously minimized through delicate cutting, achieving a harmonious balance of aesthetic appeal and practical functionality.
The "cat's pupil pattern" consists of two elongated, streamlined shapes arranged in pairs. Since many aspects of human anatomy are structured in pairs, the paired design resonates well with human sensibilities. This repetition of patterns evokes a sense of meditative tranquility and peace that feels pleasing to people. This design has been seamlessly incorporated into everyday glassware, making it functional and aesthetically harmonious.
When cutting with the grinding wheel, the shape of the "cat's pupil pattern" changes depending on the curvature of the glass surface. However, to maintain the alignment of the paired patterns and the relationships between pairs, the number of divisions for the concentric arrangement of the paired patterns is adjusted. This approach allows the design to adapt seamlessly to various types of glassware.
In two-layered glassware, the colored glass tends to become thicker toward the bottom. Shallow cuts in this area need to be ground sufficiently to expose a more significant transparent portion. Consequently, shallow cuts near the bottom may result in overlapping grinding sections between adjacent patterns. To achieve a smooth tactile finish, optimal adjustments were made to applying the polishing wheel, ensuring a seamless and refined texture.
Traditional kiriko cutting techniques often feature sharp, deep, and bold cuts, along with numerous fine, straight-line cuts. In contrast, this design consists of an assembly of small, shallow fundamental patterns, which opens up the potential for various thematic applications through different combinations. Additionally, the shallow cuts create fascinating effects, such as the sparkle of transmitted light from the side of the glass and the intricate brilliance of reflected light when seen from above. This style could evolve into one of the genres of modern kiriko design, offering a fresh perspective on this traditional craft.
Using a customized grinding wheel to make cuts efficiently, the work can be carried out with minimal machine power, emphasizing environmental sustainability. Additionally, this design is highly adaptable to various types of glassware and can sustainably evolve to fit future glass designs, reflecting a focus on cultural sustainability. Moreover, this design's balanced cuts and meticulous polishing are grounded in traditional handwork craftsmanship. This approach is intended to be carried forward, ensuring the continuation of these time-honored techniques.