This episode makes some alluring discoveries in cut glass, in which artistic designs are cut into the surface of glassware. There is a whole range of patterns in Japan. They sometimes express a wish for prosperous descendants and harmony or are meant to ward off evil. Crafting a gem-like sparkle requires an inordinate amount of skill. The cuts have to be accurate to a level of 10 microns. We feature the story behind the first-ever cut glass crafted from black-colored glass by craftsmen in southern Kyushu, as well as cut glass created in collaboration with a Japanese chef.
