This September, Japan takes centre stage in Thessaloniki as the Honoured Country of the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair. Its presence in the city offers an opportunity to discover a culture that has made craftsmanship, precision, and patience an integral part of its philosophy.
One of the concepts that reflects this approach is Takumi: the pursuit of perfection through knowledge, experience, and continuous practice.
Japan’s presence in Thessaloniki this year also invites us to explore one of the most distinctive expressions of this philosophy: the Japanese art of pearl cultivation. And at the heart of the modern history of cultured pearls is a name inextricably linked with Japan: MIKIMOTO.
When Man Works in Harmony with Nature
Unlike a gemstone that is extracted from the earth and later shaped through craftsmanship, a pearl is formed within the sea.
In pearl cultivation, human intervention creates the right conditions for the process to begin. From that point on, nature takes over. The oyster gradually forms layers of nacre until the pearl takes shape.
It is a process that cannot be rushed. And perhaps this very relationship between human knowledge and time lies at the heart of the Japanese approach.
MIKIMOTO and the Story of Cultured Pearls
In the late 19th century, Kokichi Mikimoto had an ambitious vision: to make pearls less rare without taking anything away from their natural beauty.
In 1893, after years of experimentation, he successfully cultivated the world’s first semi-spherical cultured pearl. This achievement marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of pearls and laid the foundations for the MIKIMOTO house.
But Mikimoto did not stop there. Looking beyond pearl cultivation itself, he sent Japanese craftsmen to Europe to study new trends and techniques in jewellery making. When they returned to Japan, this knowledge was combined with traditional Japanese craftsmanship, creating a new aesthetic and contributing to the development of modern Japanese jewellery.
At the same time, Mikimoto understood early on that changing the world’s perception of cultured pearls would require presenting them with the same respect traditionally afforded to natural pearls. He took part in international exhibitions, showcasing not simply pearls, but elaborate and striking creations that brought Japanese artistry far beyond the country’s borders.