Raden Ear Cuff / Chrysanthemum / Right Ear

Product Description

Product Story

General Product Information

This Raden Ear Cuff is a masterpiece featuring carefully selected abalone shells, hand-cut by artisans into intricate chrysanthemum petals and seamlessly inlaid without a single gap. As a design accent, pure gold is luxuriously used at the center of each flower. The process of fixing each 1mm-scale micro-part layer by layer with lacquer is the very essence of a traditional Japanese technique that has endured since the Nara period.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：1300 years ago / 700AD / Nara period in Japan

Raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) is one of the decorative techniques used in traditional lacquer crafts.
Raden refers to the technique of inlaying a luminous iridescent layer of mother-of-pearl on the inside of a shell, cutting it into sheets in a pattern, and inlaying them into the carved surfaces of lacquer or wooden vessels, OR a craftwork made using this technique.

In Japan, raden was introduced from Tang China during the Nara period (710-794) and was used in combination with amber and tortoiseshell to decorate musical instruments.
In the Heian period (794-1185), raden technology developed rapidly, and the decorative technique used in combination with maki-e (gold-relief lacquerware) became popular. Raden was used not only for interior furnishings but also for architectural decorations, and remained popular until the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

In the Kamakura period, raden became popular as saddle decoration, and in the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1600), raden grew dramatically as an industry through trade with Europe.
Furniture and coffee cups were made for export by combining maki-e and raden, and these were highly valued as luxury items by Europeans.

From this period to the Edo period (1603-1867), the technique was particularly well developed and shells were dyed, and were widely used for furnishings, ornaments, sword fittings, and other items.
Raden remained popular in the Edo period (1603-1867), but as trade with Europe was curtailed by national isolation, mother-of-pearl inlays continued to be made by mother-of-pearl inlay craftsmen for domestic use in Japan.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Saga Raden Nomura / Takuya Nomura
Born in Kyoto in 1987. After working at an apparel manufacturer for 5 years, returned to the family business in 2016. Utilizing his experience studying abroad in Los Angeles, he develops products that meet overseas needs; since 2017, he has been participating with his father in a product development project with a designer in Paris. He is actively involved in proposing new raden products in overseas markets.

Craftsman Passion

"Craftsmanship that bring peace of mind."
In an age of rapidly changing lifestyles, it is not easy to create a time when one's "heart" is at peace. It is precisely at times like these that we need "time and space" for peace of mind.
We create each piece of furniture by utilizing carefully selected materials and technical skills. We do not compromise, but we do not forget to be playful. We put into our works our wish to provide our customers with a time of relaxation with our creations. 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Width：1.5cm
Height：0.8cm
Weight：2g

Material & Caution

Materials

Shell
Silver

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

Basically, this product is made to order, so it takes about 3 months from order to delivery. Please note that there may be unavoidable delays in delivery due to material shortages or delays in the production process.