ALIMANO is a jewellery brand inspired by the beautiful natural surroundings of Arimano, a mountain town in Mie Prefecture. As designer Yukiko Hanamoto’s hometown, it is also the source of her creations. The town’s scenery is magnificent, strong, at times even harsh, but also quiet and nourishing. Living in the town has taught Hanamoto the beauty of the four seasons, as well as the beauty of those things that don’t change. Hanamoto tries to embed the hidden laws of nature into her urban, geometric designs.
DEER HORN JEWELLERY (top, photo on right)
For centuries, Shinto shrines in Japan have given shelter to deers, perceiving them as divine messengers. But in recent years, with the deer population booming due to the decline of natural predators and the animals increasingly venturing onto farms in search of food, farmers have begun to see them as pests and have started to cull them. So as not to waste these beautiful animals, chefs have tried to popularise venison, which was traditionally not widely eaten in Japan. And designer Yukiko Hanamoto has also decided to use their antlers, a strong and yet incredibly delicate and elegant material, to make jewellery. She examines each and every piece of antler carefully before cutting and colouring it to complement its natural condition and shape. Although she creates something new and modern, each piece carries an echo of the deers’ ancient sacred nature.
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KODAMA TOKI is a ceramic studio run by Kiyomi Kodama.
Using plaster molds that have been used in mass production, she makes each product by hand at her studio. This results in unique characteristics and expression in each and every one of her creations.
THIS SIDE (top, photo on left)
This is a series of accessories decorated with gold and gold on one side. You can choose to expose according to your mood. The combination of ceramics with platinum and gold is stunning.
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