The "Japanese Art Jewelry Exhibition," showcasing the artists, workshops, and jewelers who create uniquely Japanese jewelry, has begun at the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store.



Mitsukoshi Jewelry, which has a history of over a century, held its first "Japanese Art Jewelry Exhibition" last year. Made-in-Japan art jewelry, which has a different appeal from Western jewelry, has captivated many visitors. This year, the exhibition has expanded even further, unfolding an artistic world that combines tradition, innovation, and originality to create the future of Japanese jewelry.

Brooch and pendant head "Shirocho" ¥4,104,000 (tax included) / Nobuko Ishikawa
Summer Camellia (Natsutsubaki) Brooch & Pendant Top ¥1,144,800 (tax included) / Minoru Miki



Artist Muramatsu Tsukasa, who creates works using enamel techniques, says, "My theme is the plants and animals in nature and their vitality. I express the beautiful colors that exist there using enamel techniques and the brilliance of stone." The exhibition features a variety of charming pieces, including lotus leaves that shine like stained glass, as well as cute frogs and ladybugs. Muramatsu says, "I want to continue creating works that capture the peak of a moment and move the viewer."

Tsukasa Muramatsu
Lotus brooch, 3,024,000 yen (tax included)
Muramatsu Tsukasa's work is filled with love for small things. Clockwise at top left: fly agaric, frog, and cherry


Jin Okura, president of Okurado, expresses a world filled with elegance. "Spring brings to mind cherry blossoms, and winter comes camellias; images that arise from the Japanese people living in harmony with nature. I always try to incorporate emotion, like the moonlight illuminating flowers or a single snowflake falling on a camellia, into my work," says Okura. Also noteworthy is his use of lacquer, a traditional Japanese craft.

Jin Okura, who creates emotive art jewelry, says, "I want to create pieces that move people's hearts."

"OUKA" is a piece with a motif of blooming cherry blossoms.
Okurado Jewelry: Embracing the Uniquely Japanese Aesthetic of Nature



Keiko Nagasaka, who creates jewelry decorated with mother-of-pearl maki-e (raden maki-e), commented, "I studied under Living National Treasure maki-e artist Murose Kazumi in order to create original creations. I want to share the appeal of mother-of-pearl work, which has a unique luster and sparkle that rivals precious stones, with as many people as possible." Her fantastical yet modern designs, made using traditional techniques, have many fans both in Japan and overseas. Because the production process involves many steps and takes six months to a year, it is rare to see so many pieces displayed together like in this exhibition. She also messaged visitors, "We plan to hold a maki-e workshop as part of this exhibition. I hope you will experience the techniques of this traditional craft."

Keiko Nagasaka





Mr. Morio Funakushi

Pendant brooch 1,863,000 yen (tax included) / Morio Funakushi
"It only becomes jewelry when someone wears it," says Funakushi Morio, who creates pieces.



Eriko Ishii, who works under the name Jewelry Crest Suo Ishii, says, "My husband, Suo Takanori, and I create our pieces together. We create jewelry that is not just stylish, but also has a social message." The jewelry combines a large, round pearl with a bowl-shaped white gold piece, and she says, "The human body is made up of curves. The feminine, rounded design also conveys a message of peace and security in these uncertain times."

"We sometimes incorporate traditional Japanese designs and patterns into our designs," says Eriko Ishii, who is part of the husband-and-wife design unit.






Maiko Nagayama

Contemporary Haute Cocktail 4,131,000 yen (tax included)

A work by Nagayama Maiko inspired by human instinctual behavior and the birds of Papua New Guinea.

The "Appeal of the Five Great Gems" exhibition will be held at the same time as the "Japanese Art Jewelry Exhibition." We hope you will enjoy the world of Japanese art jewelry through interactions with the jewelry artists themselves and their works.