A lively bird surrounded by fresh greenery, a bird resting its wings peacefully as autumn deepens, and briolette diamonds add sparkle. "Bird" brooch. K18 gold diamond enamel. Left (Autumn) ¥2,340,000 Right (Spring) ¥2,340,000 Both excluding tax

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Art or craft? japanese high jewelry

2019.10.18

6. “Jewelry Craft Shudou”
Craftsmanship that brings excitement

A lively bird surrounded by fresh greenery, a bird resting its wings peacefully as autumn deepens, and briolette diamonds add sparkle.
"Bird" brooch. K18 gold diamond enamel. Left (Autumn) ¥2,340,000 Right (Spring) ¥2,340,000 Both excluding tax

European and American high jewelry is said to be characterized by its dynamic design and craftsmanship. On the other hand, Japanese jewelry has a design that embodies a ``delicate'' sensibility and a refined technique of ``precision.'' The brilliance of Japanese high jewelry, which is considered both art and craft, creates jewelry that seems to penetrate the soul.Premium Japancarefully selected byWe will introduce the brand.

Many of today's famous brands that are known around the world had their origins in the earnest craftsmanship of a single gold and silversmith. Behind the moving beauty that captures people's hearts, there are people who diligently create it. ``Jewelry Craft Shudo'' has been attracting attention among people with a solid eye for about 10 years. Until then, he had been working behind the scenes making high jewelry for other companies, but after being encouraged by those around him, CEO Osamu Shuto began selling jewelry under his own name. Shuto is a craftsman with Japan's highest level of skill, both in name and reality. He received a gold medal and the Minister's Award at the Skills Grand Prix at the 1993 First-Class Technician National Competition, an Outstanding Skills Award (Modern Master Craftsman) in the precious metal work category in 2007, and the Medal with Yellow Ribbon in 2015.

The colors of the four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter) are depicted using enamel in a frame that measures approximately 2.7 cm in height. "Frame" brooch and pendant. K18 yellow gold diamond enamel. From left: (sakura) (asagao) (momiji) (yuki). ¥2,340,000 each All tax excluded The colors of the four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter) are depicted using enamel in a frame that measures approximately 2.7 cm in height. "Frame" brooch and pendant. K18 yellow gold diamond enamel. From left: (sakura) (asagao) (momiji) (yuki). ¥2,340,000 each All tax excluded

The colors of the four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter) are depicted using enamel in a frame that measures approximately 2.7 cm in height.
"Frame" brooch and pendant. K18 yellow gold diamond enamel.
From left: ``sakura'', ``asagao'', ``momiji'', ``yuki''. ¥2,340,000 each All tax excluded


Photo left: An "elephant" ring with festival costumes. K18 yellow gold, diamonds, rubies, enamel, onyx. ¥1,560,000, Photo right: Pig ring worn with a pearl tank top. K18 pink gold, platinum, diamonds, Akoya pearls, onyx. ¥1,950,000 (excluding tax) Photo left: An "elephant" ring with festival costumes. K18 yellow gold, diamonds, rubies, enamel, onyx. ¥1,560,000, Photo right: Pig ring worn with a pearl tank top. K18 pink gold, platinum, diamonds, Akoya pearls, onyx. ¥1,950,000 (excluding tax)

Photo left: An "elephant" ring with festival costumes. K18 yellow gold, diamonds, rubies, enamel, onyx. ¥1,560,000
Photo right: Pig ring worn with pearl tank top. K18 pink gold, platinum, diamonds, Akoya pearls, onyx. ¥1,950,000 (excluding tax)

Jewelry techniques are difficult to understand for the untrained eye. His eyes were so captivated by the large, shining jewel that he couldn't see the details of its construction. However, as you look at many pieces of jewelry up close, you naturally start to understand. When I saw Shuto's work for the first time, I was moved by the small bird brooch he held in his palm. Shuto has created a number of bird brooches so far, and all of them have adorable expressions, and the twigs on which they rest their wings and the surrounding leaves are detailed and richly rendered, making them look like paintings. Even the smallest details that cannot be seen from the front have been carefully finished, and you can't help but be amazed. Once you learn about these excellent techniques, you will be able to see the good and bad aspects of jewelry making that you had not been able to see before.


"Classic" necklace. The diamonds hang in a well-balanced manner, giving the impression of floating in the air. platinum diamond. Left ¥1,820,000 Middle ¥1,820,000 Right ¥1,170,000 All tax excluded "Classic" necklace. The diamonds hang in a well-balanced manner, giving the impression of floating in the air. platinum diamond. Left ¥1,820,000 Middle ¥1,820,000 Right ¥1,170,000 All tax excluded

"Classic" necklace. The diamonds hang in a well-balanced manner, giving the impression of floating in the air. platinum diamond.
Left ¥1,820,000 Middle ¥1,820,000 Right ¥1,170,000 All tax excluded

However, I would like to add something here. Many creators are so focused on technique that they lose sight of the big picture. Shuto's technique is perhaps necessary to complete the slightly humorous motif. I think the main focus is on the design, which looks great when worn. Shuto has two daughters. Watching his father's back, he has honed his skills as a craftsman and is creating a new world under the name "Jewelry Craft Shudou."

 

(Titles omitted)

jewelry craft shudo
http://www.jewelry-shudo.com/

Text by Ikuko Watanabe (INK inc.)
Photography by ©Shudo

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