Language can be a very beautiful thing.
Compared to kanji, the set of characters originally borrowed from China which represent entire words or concepts, the phonetic Japanese script called hiragana has a simpler, more flowing appearance. Unique to Japan, hiragana are elegant enough that last year they served as the inspiration for a line of jewelry from designer and calligrapher Saori Kunihiro, which took only a single day to meet its goal on crowdfunding site Makuake.
Emboldened by this success, Kunihiro is back again with a crowdfunding campaign for a second round of hiragana accessories with several improvements on the original.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s9msifFdUA&feature=youtu.be …
While the original hiragana accessories were only available as earrings, Kunihiro is now also offering them as necklaces, rings, bracelets, pins, and obidome kimono sash accessories.
▼ Arigatou (thank you)
▼ Kizuna (bond)
▼ Yume (dream)
▼ Utsukushii (beautiful)
▼ Ai shiteiru (I love you)
▼ Tokyo
▼ The working designs for suki (another way to say “I love you”) and kokoro (heart)
Whereas last year’s hiragana were brass, this time they’re available in either 10-karat gold or 925 sterling silver.
Kunihiro also made this year’s models more compact, going from 7.7 centimeters (3 inches) to 3.8 centimeters in length, resulting in designs that are less unwieldy and more versatile.
If this meeting between fashion and linguistics speaks to you, the new hiragana accessory Makuake page can be found here, with reward tiers that include the accessories themselves starting at 8,500 yen (US$71).
Related: Hiragana Accessories Makuake, English Twitter
Source: Japaaan
Images: Hiragana Accessories Makuake (edited by RocketNews24)
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Temple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension
Studio Ghibli announces first new short anime film in 8 years, exclusive to Ghibli Park
Almost all Japanese women say they dislike random gacha/blind-box toys in survey
Capcom forgot to fix that ludicrous Chun-Li boob jiggle “glitch” in Street Fighter V【Video】
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Temple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension
Studio Ghibli announces first new short anime film in 8 years, exclusive to Ghibli Park
Almost all Japanese women say they dislike random gacha/blind-box toys in survey
Capcom forgot to fix that ludicrous Chun-Li boob jiggle “glitch” in Street Fighter V【Video】
Japanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special
Starbucks Japan offers special sakura picnics at Reserve Roastery Tokyo beside Meguro River
Naked waterslide found in Toyama bathhouse, all-you-can-slide for $5
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special
Starbucks Japan offers special sakura picnics at Reserve Roastery Tokyo beside Meguro River
Naked waterslide found in Toyama bathhouse, all-you-can-slide for $5
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Police in Japan warn of scam artists posing as cops to collect fines for breaking new bike rules
McDonald’s Japan now has Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks on the menu
Mr. Sato shares his own secret Ministop hack to help save the ailing convenience store
Summer survival tip! Muji lets you fill water bottles for free, even if you didn’t buy them there
We try all-you-can-eat raw eggs for 730 yen, turns out to be way better than it sounds
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?