Currently, the Loewe craft prizes is held in Tokyo. Many Japanese artists got a prize. So I would like to write about Japanese crafts.

LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize

From the 26 June to 22 July, The exhibition of the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize 2019 are held in Tokyo. All the finalists’ works are showcased at a free exhibition at Isamu Noguchi’s indoor stone garden ‘Heaven’ inside the Sogetsu Kaikan building in Tokyo. 
This prize recognizes artists’ thoughtful and fundamental contributions to the development of contemporary craft. This exhibition is multidisciplinary mosaic composed of ceramics and jewelry to textiles, furniture, metalwork and glassware.   
http://craftprize.loewe.com/en/home
I believe this prize is a very meaningful prize for the importance of craft in today’s culture.

Beginning of modern Japanese jewelry

The history of Japanese modern jewelry is quite different from the beginning of European jewelry. 
In ages past, the samurai treasured their swords above their own lives.

In those days, the craft of the metal smiths who decorated the swords was patronized by the Daimyo (Japanese feudal lords). The craftsmen attained a magnificent level of skill transcending that of the rest of the world.
When the samurai were banned from carrying swords, the craftsmen turned their job to making jewelry for a living. Thus, the Modern Japanese jewelry was born.
In other words, it can be said that craftsmen who decorated the swords have begun to make jewelry.

Desolation parts of Japanese sword called Menuki

Desolation parts of Japanese sword called Menuki

Beauty for use

In Japan, there is a field of crafts called “Kōgei.”
It means “traditional arts and crafts” have a deep meaning going way back in history.
The metal work which decorate sword has been regarded as a kind of Kōgei. Kogei artists traditionally wish for their work to be used, to serve a purpose in dairy life and not be considered as a “simple artwork”.
The idea of ​​”beauty for use” is very important philosophy for Kogei.

Loewe craft prize: Giampaolo Babetto  Collana, 2017  Gold, pigment 

Applied Arts

The LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize Exhibition is composed of Applied Arts, ceramics and jewelry to textiles, furniture, metalwork and glassware.
The Applied Arts are the application of design and decoration to everyday objects to make them aesthetically pleasing. The term is applied in distinction to the fine arts which aims to produce objects which are beautiful or provide intellectual stimulation.

It is interesting that both Japanese Kōgei and Applied Arts have similar thought. I feel this trend will be required not only for jewelry, but also for making new things.

More detail Flawed Akoya Cultured Pearl Rings:KosaFlat Sterling Silver$280･Pt900$990

Doi’s cultured pearl farm that does pearl cultivation has been made in Uwajima in Ehime prefecture, and we presented a ring made of a flawed blue grey pearl.
We were able to do flawed pearls somehow on pearls that didn’t become perfect pearls.
These pearls have strong personalities but beautiful. This blue grey color is a natural color.
*Kōsa means is to cross in Japanese, it means crossing.

But this flawed is not geared towards mass scale production, even if it is slightly baroque.
Each and every pearl, has to be adjusted with metal to fit that pearl’s shape. So it takes a lot of effort and time.
We think we want to create this beautiful lines simply with different pearl and introduce to the world strongly.
And so, our initial consultations decided on Kazuko Nishibayashi, a Japanese contemporary jewelry artist based in Germany. We expect her feeling of simple but practical design can bring up maximizing a beauty of the pearl.

More detail  Slightly Baroque Akoya Cultured Pearl Rings: Kosa-Cross Sterling Silver$360･Pt900 $1490

Optional Japanese engraving
You can order a Japanese-style engraving on the side for about 1/4 side. All are hand-engraved. Straight lines require advanced technique.
Additional cots + $75