Japan's finest jewelers gather together in one place. The "Japanese Art Jewelry Exhibition," a condensed example of beauty, is being held at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi.

The "Japanese Art Jewelry Exhibition" brings together artists, workshops, and jewelers who continue to develop uniquely Japanese jewelry within the Japanese climate and temperament. The exhibition will run from July 18th to 23rd at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, which is celebrating its 110th anniversary since the opening of its precious metals floor in 1908.

The "Japanese Art Jewelry Exhibition" at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi was first held in the summer of 2017. While jewelry originally originated in the West, Japanese jewelry, developed through the uniquely Japanese delicacy, has a unique character and beauty that differs from Western jewelry. This exhibition will focus on the beauty of Made-in-Japan jewelry created by artists, workshops, and jewelers that is worthy of being called "art jewelry," and will showcase these works alongside antique Western jewelry.

The jewelry on display at the exhibition is beautiful when worn, and features innovative techniques and meticulous craftsmanship based on traditional Western techniques, original designs, and reliable materials, all of which are first-rate pieces that Japan can be proud of. An artistic world that combines tradition, innovation, and originality to create the future of jewelry unfolds.

In this article, we will explore some of the artists and works featured in this exhibition under three keywords: "technique," which showcases outstanding techniques; "design," which embodies Japanese aesthetic sensibilities; and "antique," which has fascinated people throughout the ages.

Nobuko Ishikawa / NOBUKO ISHIKAWA (Founder of Nobuko Ishikawa)

A fusion of ancient Japanese techniques and Western aesthetics.

In a time when jewelry culture had yet to take root in Japan, Nobuko Ishikawa's brand, Nobuko Ishikawa, was born from her desire to "design jewelry that would bring out the beauty of Japanese women and be worn with everyday wear." Today, Nobuko Ishikawa's aspirations and skills are carried on in the brand's workshop, where she creates pieces that utilize traditional craftsmanship and engraving techniques, as well as planning and design. The new 2018 collection, showcased at this exhibition, features a lineup of painterly jewelry with a story.

Brooch/pendant head "Shirotori Castle" 4,104,000 yen (tax included)

Brooch/pendant head "Melody of Love" ¥2,754,000 (tax included)

Okurado (Jeweler)

A piece reminiscent of a landscape painting, recreating the moment when beauty breathes.

Founded in 1969, Okurado uses Western jewelry techniques while pursuing uniquely Japanese beauty through designs inspired by Japanese landscapes and seasons. Produced by second-generation owner Jin Okura, the brand's philosophy is to "create new Japanese jewelry," and the company produces delicate and lustrous jewelry that directly embodies the Japanese aesthetic. Rather than simply using Japanese motifs, the jewelry is truly art, depicting the changing scenery seen through the round windows of Japanese-style rooms, the moment when plump morning dew sparkles, or the delicate, subtle unevenness of blooming cherry blossom petals. We hope you will experience the aesthetic sense that lives on in the Japanese people and the new expression of Japonism.

Hydrangea Pt Diamond Pin Brooch/Necklace, ¥972,000 (tax included)

Masami Nakajima (Bond Street Owner)

Timeless pieces carefully selected with a discerning aesthetic.

After working as a Western art dealer, Masami Nakajima, president of the British antique jewelry store Bond Street, founded the Nakajima Collection, an importer and retailer of antique jewelry, in 1987. Since then, he has traveled the world to purchase jewelry from a wide range of eras. His rare, high-quality collection, carefully selected with the discerning aesthetic he developed, has earned him acclaim. He also creates original jewelry, meticulously crafting pieces with the skills of a master artisan, as if attempting to recreate pieces from an era when customers included royalty, aristocrats, and the privileged classes.

<Artist Unknown> Platinum, Natural Pearl, and Diamond Pair Brooch (UK, circa 1910) 13.5 million yen including tax

A number of events are also planned at the venue. On July 18th and 22nd at 11am and 2pm respectively, jewelry designer Nagasaka Keiko will be holding a "Demonstration and Maki-e Experience" (4,860 yen, materials included). This is a 60-minute workshop where participants draw their favorite design on a small lacquered wooden plate and sprinkle gold powder over it to create their own original Maki-e design. Each session is limited to 10 people and reservations are required. Nobuko Ishikawa Studio will also be holding "Craftsman Demonstrations and Explanations" from 10am to 6pm on July 18th, 20th and 21st. Reservations and inquiries for both events can be made at the Jewelry Salon on the 6th floor of the main building of Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store. Jewelry designer Hino Megumi will also be on-site to take orders for jewelry and make alterations.

During the event, "The Appeal of the Five Great Gems" will also be held at the same venue. We hope you will enjoy the appeal of Japanese jewelry by interacting with the designers and craftsmen involved in the creation of the jewelry.

【Event Information】
Japanese Art Jewelry Exhibition
Venue: Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Main Building, 7th Floor, Event Hall
Address: 1-4-1 Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Dates: July 18th - 23rd
Time: 10:00 - 19:00 (until 18:00 on the last day)
Exhibitors:
Nobuko Ishikawa, Okurado, Minoru Miki, Tsukasa Muramatsu, Morio Funakushi, Hirofumi Mitani, Norio Kawada, Keiko Nagasaka, Jewelry Crest Suo & Ishii, Shigeru Imai, Maiko Nagayama, Jaume Labro, Bond Street
Free Admission
URL: http://www.mitsukoshiguide.jp/artjewelry/

編集部

Nobuko Ishikawa / NOBUKO ISHIKAWA (Founder of Nobuko Ishikawa)

Okurado (Jeweler)

Masami Nakajima (Bond Street Owner)

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