The International Festival of Glass is a biennial event celebrating the UK's rich heritage and contemporary glassmaking practice. Traditionally held in Stourbridge, West Midlands―a region with over 400 years of glassmaking history―the festival showcases high-quality exhibitions, international masterclasses, artist demonstrations, and presentations, featuring the work of over 500 artists.

In 2024, the festival celebrated its 20th anniversary with the theme ‘Past, Present, Future,’ reflecting on two decades of glass artistry and innovation.

The festival committee invited Toru Horiguchi as a special guest. During the event, he captivated the audience with a live demonstration of Edo Kiriko glass cutting, showcasing the intricate artistry of this traditional Japanese craft.

Additionally, he delivered an engaging talk on the historical and cultural connections between British and Japanese cut crystal glass. Joining him was Diane Irvine, the great-great-granddaughter of Emanuel Hauptmann, the pioneer who introduced modern glassmaking techniques to Japan. Together, they provided a distinctive and insightful perspective on the intertwined heritage of these two nations.

In Summer 2024, Toru Horiguchi visited Cumbria Crystal, located in the picturesque Lake District, England, the UK’s last remaining producer of fully hand-blown and hand-cut, full-lead luxury English crystal. He was warmly welcomed by CEO Chris Blade, a distinguished expert with over 30 years of experience in glass design and manufacturing.

During his visit, Toru toured the factory, gaining valuable insights into the meticulous craftsmanship of the artisans. He observed time-honoured techniques, many of which have remained largely unchanged since the Roman era, underscoring the depth of tradition behind their craft.

In addition, Toru engaged in in-depth discussions with Chris Blade, focusing on the historical and cultural connections between British and Japanese glassmaking traditions. Their conversations delved into potential collaborations, emphasising the importance of thorough research and innovation. They shared ideas for fostering opportunities within the glass industry that not only uphold traditional craftsmanship but also actively protect and celebrate the cultural heritage tied to these practices.

This meeting underscored a shared dedication to preserving and advancing the art of traditional glassmaking in both nations, highlighting the potential for a meaningful and creative partnership.

The Edo-Kiriko: The Art of Japanese Cut Crystal event was led by Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) in partnership with the Horiguchi-Kiriko glass studio, based in Tokyo, Japan, and hosted a symposium with a range of speakers and an object showcase at ECA in Scotland.

This one-day symposium delved into the shared culture and heritage between Scotland and Japan using cut crystal as its medium. In doing so, it spar ked lively debate and discourse around the lost art of crystal cutting in the UK while also catalysing a fresh wave of material and cultural exchange between the two nations.

At the drinks reception party followed by the sym posium, Japanese Sake sponsored by Sake Samurai was served in the Horiguchi Kiriko’ss crystal sake cups “Guinomi“ to the audience.

A 3-day masterclass workshop with Toru Horiguchi held at Edinburgh College of Art preceded the Edo Kiriko conference and a range of the work created by the staff and students were shown during the conference, in a curated showcase.

During the masterclass, Toru Horiguchi was able to share his vast skills and knowledge of cut crys- tal and the fine art of the Edo Kiriko tradition with staff and students at ECA.

Which culminated in a cross-cultural exchange and a modern-day skills transmission, an act that sees the lost art of cut crystal being reintroduced to this group of Scottish glass makers. The workshop participants were encouraged to try out diamond lathe cutting, many for the first time.

Tyrone Crafted Glass, situated in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, is playing a crucial role in revitalising the traditional skills of glassmaking in the county.

Former employees of the Tyrone Crystal facto- ry, which ceased operations in 2010, have ded- icated themselves to passing on their passion for art by instructing the next generation of artisans.

This endeavour, fuelled by a commitment to preserving the heritage of glassmaking has been developing into a prosperous venture, buoyed by the unwavering dedication of its founder Gary Currie and the support of the local community.

Toru’s admiration for their ethos prompted him to dream of visiting Tyrone Crafted Glass. While he was staying in Edinburgh, he seized the opportunity to embark on the journey, boarding a swift plane to Belfast International and then travelling by taxi to Dungannon.

While Toru’s visitation, he received a warm welcome from Gary, Ciara, the experienced glasscutters, and a talented future glasscutter, and a diverse group of visitors, marking the fulfilment of one of his dreams.

TThe procedure for the acceptance of a donation of the glass works made by Emanuel Hauptmann was completed in April 2023. Machida City Museum in Tokyo held a committee of the museum at the end of March 2023, and the acceptance of the works was unanimously grant- ed. Committee members were very surprised to find the works like these in existence.

The museum is currently undergoing renewal and will reopen in 2026. Until the reopens, we hold small exhibitions at a different museum in Machida City, Tokyo.

[First exhibition]
From January 23rd to ４thFebruary The exhibition “Sparkling, Rolling Craft Works Enjoyed with Words! - Tama Craft Association & Machida City Museum Collaboration Exhibition” was held at the Machida City Museum of Graph- ic Arts, Citizen’s Exhibition Room. the wine glass- es by Emanuel Hauptmann (1848-1924) were exhibited for the first time.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude for this donation from Diane Irvine ー Emanuel’s Great great-granddaughter, David Scholes ー Emanuel’s Great Grandson and Iain Wright ー Emanuel’s Great Great Grandson.

Motivated by our longstanding regard for the UK, Toru visited the Glass department of the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) in November 2019, as a continuation of our activities since 2015.

We aim to promote the rediscovery of the amazing culture of cut glass in the UK, and provide opportunities to revitalise cut glass as a trade. We plan to hold workshops, talk events, lectures, exhibitions, and sales, through industry-academia collaboration. We have begun to raise awareness of Edo kiriko and Horiguchi kiriko.

In 2020, the team behind London Craft Week launched the first Create Day, a new global initiative.

Influencer Rie Yoshitake has been promoting Japanese food, culture and sake for many years in Japan and the UK. In recognition of her efforts, she was awarded the Japanese Minister’s Award in 2019 for her contribution to the promotion of economic relations between Japan and the UK. She works with a range of professionals to provide specialist resources that combine cross-cultural, multi-faceted skills and insights, with a focus on strengthening existing UK-Japan relationships and facilitating new ones. She presented Horiguchi Kiriko as one of two examples of Japanese craftsmanship that inspire her: Horiguchi Kiriko, timeless cut glass with enduring significance, and Urakasumi, one of Japan’s finest heritage sake brands.