[Earrings] Mai earrings (silver/lapis lazuli)

A crown found in an old museum

For many years, I have wanted to make earrings using this motif. The motif is a small jeweled crown that I found at the "Antiques Museum," where old household items are collected, stored, and exhibited by Saeko Itoshiro, born in 1933.

It is thought that it was probably worn by shrine maidens when performing dances dedicated to shrines, but this is not certain.

I came up with this design after gazing for a long time at the jewelry, which resembles a bird's wing, softly fluttering about and swaying and dancing along with the shrine maiden.

A prayer design embodied in hand-drawn lines

If you look closely at old crowns, you will see that they were made by stamping thin copper plates. They are also made using a mold, but this time, the mold was made with lines engraved by hand.

This gives each piece its own unique expression, creating a very organic and warm design.

Lapis Lazuli

On top of the silver parts are lapis lazuli beads. Lapis lazuli actually has a deep connection with Itoshiro.

During the Heian period, there is a Buddhist statue called Kokuzo Bosatsu that was dedicated to Itoshiro Hakusan Nakai Shrine by Fujiwara Hidehira of Hiraizumi, Oshu. The pigment on the head of the statue is ultramarine, made from finely ground lapis lazuli.

Wearing lapis lazuli makes me feel like I am protected by Kokuzo Bosatsu, who has protected Itoshiro for over 1000 years.

925 Silver

We are particular about materials just like we do with clothing. The material we used this time is 925 silver, which is one of the luxury materials along with platinum and gold. This means that it is 92.5% pure silver.

We use high quality products because we want you to use them for a long time. When they become dark over time, you can keep them looking nice by wiping them off with a special cloth.

[Product quality and care]

Body and earring hook
Material: 925 silver

beads
Material: Lapis lazuli. Estimated country of origin: Pakistan. Estimated production date: Modern.

size
Length (including earring hook) 3.7-3.8cm
Length (motif only) 1.8cm
Width 2.5-2.6cm

※Care instructions

After use, wipe off any dirt on the surface with a soft cloth. If the item is very dirty or has sweat on it, rinse it off with water or lukewarm water, then press a soft cloth against it to thoroughly wipe off any moisture and allow it to dry. To prevent discoloration, keep the item in a small plastic bag or ziplock bag to avoid contact with air as much as possible and remove the air.

[Replacing with earring parts]

This product can also be changed to earring parts for an additional 550 yen. In that case, please click on the earring part you want (screw spring type or resin). If you have any questions, please contact us in the comments section.

Screw spring type

It can be adjusted to fit the thickness of your earlobe using both a screw and a spring. Recommended for people with thick earlobes.

resin

The side with the pearl is behind the ear. The thickness of the earlobe cannot be adjusted. It can be firmly fixed. The parts are not noticeable and look neat.

*Please note that it will take about a week to replace the item.

[Short story: Kagura of the Five Stages]

Currently, the Godan Kagura dance is dedicated at the spring festival held at Hakusan Nakai Shrine in Itoshiro on the third Sunday in May.

This dance is said to be a secret secret from outside Itoshiro, and two elementary school girls master it after more than a month of practice. It is a divine, refreshing, and wonderful dance that attracts many people every year. The girls are wearing modern-day crowns on their heads. They shine divinely.

For us who live in Itoshiro, the spring festival is a very important time to pray for a bountiful harvest in the fields after the snow melts.

Sister Earrings

We also have a sister product, "Mai no Earrings (brass/red coral)" with the same design but different sizes, materials, and beads, so please check them out here.

Mai earrings (brass/red coral)