Endangered

Both the materials and the techniques are endangered.

 

In 1973, the United Nations adopted the Washington Convention.

The purpose of this is to protect endangered species of wild animals and plants from extinction. In Japan, international trade of the species has been prohibited or restricted since 1980.


The materials featured were coral, tortoiseshell, ivory, and whale, all of which are familiar to Japanese traditional crafts.

 

In the past, crafts made by skilled craftsmen who carved these materials became popular in Japan, and they were used to beautifully adorn Japanese women, such as obi fasteners and hair ornaments.

 

However, due to the current ban on the import of materials and a decrease in the number of craftsmen, these traditional techniques are being lost.

 

These precious carvings, created decades ago, have been combined with other gemstones to bring them back to life as jewelry that is easy to use for those of us living in the modern age.

 

In addition to "protecting species from extinction," the Washington Convention also lists "sustainable use" as its objective.

 

It could be said that the mission given to us, the current generation, is to utilise the precious materials created in the past and pass them on to the next generation.

 

Above all, they are so beautiful.