48｜The History of Glass: Japanese Glass Manufacturers, Handmade Glass Factories (Part 18)

Hello🎵 Next week is the spring equinox, already! They say the heat and cold only last until the equinox, so I hope it gets warmer soon.

Since 1943 (Showa 18), when Kagami Crystal supplied furnishings (official goods) to the Imperial Family, it has continued to be used as tableware for official dinners by the Imperial Household Agency. While it is often referred to as "Imperial Household Agency Purveyor," Kagami Crystal defines itself as "Imperial Household Agency Official Goods." The "Imperial Household Agency Purveyor" system was abolished in 1954 (Showa 29), and since we do not have permission to be a purveyor, we do not use that term. On the other hand, established businesses like Miyamoto Shoko, known for their silver products, still advertise as "Imperial Household Agency Purveyor" because they received their designation during the Meiji period.

Subsequently, Kagami Crystal supplied tableware for state banquets and chandeliers to locations such as the Togu Gosho (Crown Prince's Palace), Fukiage Gosho, the new Imperial Palace, and the State Guest House. In 1990 (Heisei 2), we manufactured and supplied tableware for the banquet celebrating the enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor.

Additionally, we have supplied a variety of crystal products to leading Japanese companies. In 1948 (Showa 23), we produced the Shiseido White Rose perfume bottle, and in 1964 (Showa 39), the Suntory Imperial Whisky bottle.

Although the chronology is not exact, in 1985 (Showa 60), the company name was changed to Kagami Crystal Co., Ltd., becoming 100% capitalized by Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. In 1990 (Heisei 2), the head office and factory were relocated from Ota Ward, Tokyo, to Ryugasaki City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Since HOYA withdrew from the crystal business in 2009 (Heisei 21), we have been the only domestic manufacturer capable of consistently supplying crystal glass, providing glassware to Imperial Family-related organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and diplomatic missions both domestically and abroad.

After HOYA withdrew from the crystal business, we purchased automated cutting machines from HOYA and now produce machine-cut glass. In contrast to Edo Kiriko, which is handmade by artisans one piece at a time and has limited production, we mass-produce cut glass with machines. There was also a period when we not only cut crystal blanks produced in-house but also imported and cut crystal blanks from overseas for sale.

Currently, we continue to sell both handmade Edo Kiriko and machine-cut glass.

In 2016 (Heisei 28), the brand logo and mark were revamped. The brand name was changed from Kagami Crystal to KAGAMI, and efforts are being focused on sales through our Ginza shop and online. In recent years, Kagami Crystal has been popular in China, receiving so many orders that production cannot keep up, and the subcontracting artisans who create Edo Kiriko are working late into the night to meet demand.