On The First Day of Fun I present... a new pocchiri! Welcome everyone once again to The Twelve Days of Fun! This one's delayed by a day as I arrived home a bit late last night and didn't get a chance to post it, so please enjoy it now!
Image courtesy of Shigemori.
Materials: Amethyst, Diamond, Peridot, Tanzanite, Quartz, and Silver
Motif(s): Wisteria on a Trellis
Owned By: Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho
Okay okay, I know that last year I said that Ninben's goldfish pocchiri was one of my favorites, but THIS one is my all time favorite, hands down! I'm a sucker for wisteria and this one is practically my ultimate dream of jewelry and the titular flower combined.
It is literally opulence incarnate and made only from the best of the best. The finest clarity amethysts are topped with peridot and quartz leaves and accented with diamonds connecting each flower strand. Diamonds also frame the flowers on the top and bottom while the trellis frame on either side is made up of a very rare stone: tanzanite!
Native to the country of Tanzania, the only place in the world where it can be found, tanzanite can be distinguished by its unique blueish purple color. Stock of this stone is expected to run out by the 2040s, so the value of this pocchiri will only grow exponentially over time!
Wisteria itself is a symbol of elegance and strength. Prior to hanami being synonymous with cherry blossoms, it was wisteria that used to be prized by the nobles for its spring time blooms. The lovely plant is actually a vine that can be trained to grow like a tree, but unlike a tree, it never stops growing and spreading, making it a potential menace to gardeners who are not prepared to deal with a plant whose strength has been known to crack the foundations of houses! It is a beauty that demands respect and it's clear to see why it's a popular motif for geimaiko ^^
Here you can see it being worn by Fukusono (ふく苑):
Shiodome is a district in Minato, Tokyo, known for its modern architecture, skyscrapers, and business facilities. It was once a freight terminal and has since been redeveloped into a vibrant area with a mix of office buildings, shopping centers, and entertainment options.
On The First Day Of Fun I present... a new pocchiri! Welcome everyone to the 2022-2023 edition of The Twelve Days Of Fun! Today we’re looking at one of my favorite pocchiri of all time!
Image courtesy of Xmujiruji.
Materials: Coral, Pearl, Jade, Mother of Pearl, Agate, and Silver
Motifs: Goldfish and Swirling Water
Owned By: Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu
What ISN’T there to love about this? It’s a heckin’ chonk of a goldfish! This piece is truly a masterwork in carving as the fish looks so realistic! Carved from a single piece of coral, the details are so minute that you can see each individual scale as if it were a living fish. The time and skill that went into making this pocchiri has sadly now been lost like so many other great pocchiri.
Fancy goldfish have been kept as pets in Asia for thousands of years and were originally bred from the common carp. Goldfish are considered lucky pets, especially if they are fat, as they only thrive in the best of conditions, such as the cleanest of enclosures and best food to snack on.
Surrounding the fish are swirling pools of water, possibly made from the fish swimming by. They’re made from inlaid mother of pearl and agate to create a contrast in color. Since more than one material was used for the water this heightens the realism of reflections of light. The pearls and jade balls on top of the water are likely there to represent leaves and flowers reflecting over a pond that the fish is residing in. Having the base made in silver just makes the most sense as it has the same cool feeling as water.
Here you can see it being worn by maiko Mametama (豆珠):