KONNICHIWA.
We are very pleased to introduce you our brand “Asukaze”.
“Asukaze” means tomorrow (asu) + breeze (kaze).
“Asukaze” which are made from Japanese traditional craftsmanship has been adapted to the lifestyle of the present day.
We are proud of using these beautiful natural materials and Japanese high-end traditional craftworks.
We hope our products will give beauty and grace to your life, peace to your heart and feel the atmosphere of “Asukaze”.
CONTENTS
● Our Products
- Japanese Modern
- Urushi Rosary
- Kumihimo and Odamaki
- Legacy from Shosoin
- Homage to Nature
- Kimono Card Case
- Takayama Chasen
- Kanshitsu Cup
● Our Artworks and Materials Used
● Creative Director
Our Products
Japanese Modern
Japanese traditional craft works are realization of European traditional patterns.
New jewelry was a marriage of east and west, modern and classic.
CROSS (left)
A-C-1
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold, Mother of Pearl,Eggshell,Pure Silk
6×6cm ・40-90cm
Necklace
CROSS 2 (right)
A-C-2
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold, Mother of Pearl, Pure Silk
4.2×6cm・40-90cm
Necklace
YOTSUBA
A-Y-1
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold, Mother of Pearl
φ5cm
Brooch
YOTSUBA 2
A-Y-2
100% Urushi, Wood, Mother of Pearl, Eggshell
φ6cm
Brooch
HEART
A-H-1B (Black)
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold, Pure Silk
5.5×5.5cm・40-90cm
Necklace
A-H-1R (Red) / A-H-1BR（Black・Red）/ A-H-1W（Ivory White）
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold, Pure Silk
5.5×5.5cm・40-90cm
Necklace
HEART 2
A-H2B
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold
5×5cm
Brooch
MARU
A-M-1B
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold
φ2.5cm
Scarf Ring
SHIZUKU
A-S-1
100% Urushi,Wood,14K Gold Plated Brass
2.5×1.0cm
earrings
Urushi Rosary
TSUNAGARI
A-TSU-1B (Black) /A-TSU-1R (Red) /A-TSU-1H (Gold foil)
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold, Pure Silver, Pure Silk
φ1.5cm・40-90cm
Necklace
A-TSU-1B (Black)
A-TSU-1R (Red)
A-TSU-1H (Gold foil)
TSUNAGARI 2
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold,Pure silver, Pure Silk
φ2cm・40-90cm
Necklace
A-TSU-2G（Gold）
A-TSU-2S (Silver)
Kumihimo and Odamaki
“Odamaki” is the name of a small silk ball crafted from a single silk cord.
As we cannot see the end of the cord, it is seen as a symbol of eternity in Japan.
An “Odamaki” is considered a lucky charm in Japan.
HITOTSUBU
A-HT-1B (Blue) / A-HT-1Y (Yellow)
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Silk
φ1.5cm ・ 40-90cm
Necklace
HITOTSUBU 2
A-HT-2BL (Blue) / A-HT-2RD (Red)
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Silk
φ1.5cm・φ1.0m・60-90cm
Necklace
HITOTSUBU 3
A –HT-3
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Silk
φ1.5cm・φ1.0m・40-60cm
Necklace
Legacy from Shosoin
Shosoin is the national treasure house in Nara existed since 8th century.
We picked up some patterns from treasures in Shosoin to realize jewelries.
Metalwork
HANAKAZARI
A-SHO-4
14K Gold Plated Brass, Pure Silk
φ6cm・40-90cm
Necklace
Metalwork with Urushi Ball
HANAKAZARI 2
A-SHO-4U
14K Gold Plated Brass, Pure Silk, 100%Urushi, Wood
φ6cm・40-90cm
Necklace
HASU
A-SHO-1
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold, Pure Silver
φ6cm
Brooch
TORI
A-SHO-2
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold, Pure Silver, Mother of Pearl, Pure Silk
5×6.5cm・40-90cm
Necklace
KAGAMI
A-SHO-3B
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Silver, Mother of Pearl,
Pure Silk
6×6cm・40-90cm
Necklace
AYA
A-SHO-5
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Gold, Mother of Pearl, Pure Silk
φ5.5cm・40-90cm
Brooch/Necklace
ENN
A-SHO-6
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Silver, Pure Silk
φ5.5cm・40-90cm
Brooch/Necklace
KOGUSABANA
A-SHO-6G (Gold) / A-SHO-6S (Silver)
100% Urushi, Wood, Pure Silver, Mother of Pearl, Pure Silk
4x4cm・40-90cm
Necklace
Homage to Nature
SHIZEN
Cloisonné, Pure Silver, Pure Silk
φ4.5cm・40-90cm
Necklace
SHIZEN2 reversible
Cloisonné, Pure Silver, Pure Silk
φ4.5cm・40-90cm
Necklace
Kimono Card Case
Embroidery of Kyoto
There is a long history of embroidery in Kyoto.
Imperial court in Kyoto had its own embroidery's post for decorating cloths since Heian period (8th century).
They are proud of their high reputation of beautifulness and fine work.
A-CC-1 (left) / A-CC-2 (middle) / A-CC-3 (right)
Pure Silk, Gold thread
12×9cm
Takayama Chasen
A-CHA-2B (left) A-CHA-2R (right)
A chasen is a whisk for mixing powdered tea with hot water in a tea bowl.
This unique and beautiful whisk is cut from a single piece of bamboo.
A great amount of skill is required. Most Japanese chasen are made in Takayama, in Nara Prefecture.
Chasen has been made in Takayama for over 500 years since the Muromachi period.
All of our chasen come from a traditional artisan in Takayama.
URUSHI
A-CHA-R (left) / A-CHA-B (middle) / A-CHA-M (right)
Bamboo, 100% Urushi, Pure Gold, Mother of Pearl
5×11cm
Chashaku
A-CHAS-B（top） / A-CHAS-M（middle）/A-CHAS-R（bottom）
Bamboo, 100% Urushi, Pure Gold, Mother of Pearl
KABUKI
A-CHA-K (left) / A-CHA-J (right)
4×8cm
Bamboo, Acrylic Paint
Chashaku A-CHAS-K
Chashaku A-CHAS-J
Kanshitsu Cup
“Kanshitsu”
“Kanshitsu” is another kind of urushi artwork.
The core of the object is not wood, but linen cloth.
Sculptures (including Buddhist statues) and decorative art were often made in this way.
As the core is linen, the product is very light.
This made it easy to rescue kanshitsu Buddhist statues from temple fires in former times.
It's a very old and traditional Japanese technique and because the process is difficult and complicated,
we tend not to see it so much nowadays.
EGAO
A-GN-ER (red) / A-GN-EB (black)
100% Urushi, Linen, Pure Gold
φ6cm×5cm
SHIAWASE
A-GN-SR (red) / A-GN-SB (black)
100% Urushi, Linen, Pure Gold
φ6cm×5cm
About Artworks and Materials Used
URUSHI
Urushi (Lacquer in English) is the sap of the urushi tree (lacquer tree in English).
Coating wooden objects with urushi make them durable and beautiful.
Urushi has been used since 9000 years ago in the Jomon period.
Many Buddhist statues made in Asia were coated with urushi.
Today, urushi represents Japanese traditional crafts and is one of the most popular item.
●100% natural urushi
To provide sap, it takes 10 years to glow the urushi tree.
One urushi tree provides only 200cc of sap in a year. It is very rare and expensive.
We use only 100% natural urushi in our products.
Real urushi gives a smooth surface and a graceful shine to products.
●Care and Attention
Urushi takes a long time to dry.
A constant level of humidity is required to dry.
According to the weather and season, the craftsman must not only keep the air clean,
but also maintain a constant level of humidity in the drying room and be free from dust.
●Time Consuming
Each urushi product is coated 10~15 times.
After each coating, the product needs to be dried and polished.
Urushi products are a combination of time and effort.
That is why our products are precious.
●Pure gold and silver, natural materials
Some of our products are decorated with the traditional technique “ Makie”.
“Makie” is urushi products decorated with sprinkled gold powder.
We use pure gold and silver for “Makie”.
We also use natural mother of pearl for another kind of decoration technique called “Raden”.
Moreover, we use pure silk as the string of our necklaces because of its strength and comfort.
Creative Director
Yuko KURITA
Born in Tokyo.
Founded genuine stone jewelry brand “espressivo” in 2007.
She designs and produces all works for the brand.
Adopts European antique jewelries in her works, being impressed with their depth and beauty,
which she discovered throughout Europe.
Founded another brand “Asukaze” in 2013, featuring essence of traditional Japanese craft
art works.
Continues to challenge new ways of expressing traditional craftworks, collaborating with
craftsman in Japan.
Designs unique original products for Shimogamo shrine in Kyoto, Todaiji Museum in Nara
and the National Museum in Nara.
明日風 Asukaze
Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
http://asukaze.tokyo