Edo-cat hand-blown glass wind chime with ukiyo-e cat motif and gold paper strip, made in Japan

Edo-cat wind chime

Name: Edo-cat wind chime
Brand: Ishizuka Glass 石塚硝子
SKU: WCB-GLS-ADE-001-
Price: 52.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

£52.50

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Material: Glass

Dimensions:
Width: 6.4cm
Height: 9cm

Handling & Protection: The glass surface is decorated with metallic-style gold accents. Please handle with care, as scratches can make the glass more likely to break. To avoid damage, do not knock the glass against other hard objects and avoid using metal scourers or abrasive cleansers when washing.

Temperature Sensitivity: This glass is delicate and sensitive to extreme temperature changes. Do not pour hot liquid into a cold glass (or vice versa), and avoid placing it on wet surfaces. Do not use in a microwave, oven, or over an open flame.

Storage: To prevent scratching, do not stack these glasses on top of one another.

Cleaning: Wash gently by hand using a soft sponge and mild detergent. The metallic decoration may fade or wear slightly over time; please consider this a natural part of the product’s character and history. We strongly recommend avoiding the use of a dishwasher.

Safe Washing: Take extra care when cleaning the interior surface; avoid applying forceful pressure or twisting, as this can lead to accidental injury.

At a glance

- Hand-blown thin glass; high, clear tone
- Painted with ukiyo-e cat motifs by Kuniyoshi Utagawa (歌川国芳), late Edo period
- Each one hand-painted and unique

Kuniyoshi Utagawa (歌川国芳, 1797-1861) was one of the great masters of the ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition, and was famously devoted to cats. He kept dozens of them in his studio, and his cat prints, charming, humorous and technically masterful, are among the most recognisable images of the Edo period. The cats he painted doing very human things have delighted people for nearly two centuries.

This glass wind chime carries those prints onto hand-blown thin glass. The chime body is blown fine enough to produce a high, clear tone; the ukiyo-e cat designs are applied by hand after blowing, which means each piece has its own slight variation in the painting. The combination of the delicate glass, the historical image and the clear note in the air makes for a piece that earns a smile from everyone who sees it. A witty, culturally grounded object that does not take itself too seriously.