OKURADO: The Beginning of Jewelry, Part 1

OKURADO is a brand launched in 2009.

The first jewelry from OKURADO was a collaboration piece.

“MIMASU” Jewelry Rough Sketch

Starting now, I’d like to share the story behind that collaboration in three parts.

While preparing to launch the brand, driven by my desire to create something that could express Japan’s beauty, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to connect with the twelfth-generation Kabuki actor, Ichikawa Danjūrō.　

At that time, Mr. Danjuro was preparing for the first-ever Kabuki performance in Europe, at the Principality of Monaco. Furthermore, I learned he was searching for a gift to present to Prince Albert of Monaco (whose mother was Grace Kelly).

His strong desire to “spread Kabuki, Japan’s representative performing art, to the world” deeply inspired me, as I too aspired to “share Japanese jewelry with the world.” I had absolute confidence in my ability to create delicate, quintessentially Japanese jewelry using traditional techniques (and still do, of course).

I was concerned whether Mr. Danjuro would even consider jewelry as a gift option. Nevertheless, I decided to take the bold step of presenting a proposal: “Create original jewelry from OKURADO and propose it as a gift for Prince Albert.”

The presentation took place in the rehearsal studio at Mr. Danzōro’s residence. The atmosphere in the studio was entirely different, like another world. Just looking at the floor, one sensed a solemnity and the passage of time, a place that made you imagine, “So many events must have unfolded in this studio over the years.”

While showing him the design sketches I had prepared, I conveyed my desire to showcase Japanese craftsmanship to the world through jewelry directly to him. Fortunately, he shared this sentiment, and right then and there, he commissioned me to create an original piece of jewelry as a gift for Grand Duke Albert.

The commission details were as follows:

・The motif should be the Ichikawa family crest, the “MIMASU”

・The color used should be the Ichikawa family color, “Danjuro Brown”

・The flower symbolizing the Ichikawa family, the “Peony,” should also be incorporated into the jewelry (Ultimately, Mr. Danjuro himself drew the peony design.)

Honestly, I was astonished to receive permission to use the “MIMASU” crest—the most important symbol of the Ichikawa family (Naritaya)—as the motif. Even now, I vividly remember feeling deeply moved and inspired by the intensity of his gaze as he spoke of his feelings for the “MIMASU” conveying his profound dedication and passion for kabuki.

On my way home from your residence, I was acutely aware once more of the weight of tradition and history embodied in the “MIMASU” symbol of the Ichikawa family—a name that has endured for over 300 years—and the family color, “Danjūrō-cha.” At the same time, I returned to the office feeling a quiet joy at being able to play even a small part in that accumulation of time.　

Sharaku’s ukiyo-e print “Naritaya MIMASU”

referenced from https://www.fromjapan.co.jp

meeting with Mr. Danjuro

I was confident that with OKURADO ‘s craftsmanship, we could surely create magnificent “MIMASU” jewelry. Looking back now, however, I realize I may not have even had the luxury of worrying about “anxiety over commercialization” at that time.

And so began the creation of the “MIMASU” jewelry.

I’ll conclude here for now, and continue the story of “OKURADO ‘s Founding Jewelry” in the next journal.

Hitoshi Okura

OKURADO

Part 2, please also read this ▼

OKURADO: The Beginning of Jewelry, Part 2