Niwaka (company)

NIWAKA Corporation (株式会社俄 かぶしきがいしゃにわか kabushiki-gaisha niwaka) is a Japanese jewellery manufacturer and seller.[2] The brand originated in Kyoto[1] and its designs are inspired by elements of the culture and history of the city,[3] such as the Gion Matsuri, its cityscape, the passing of the seasons and the surrounding nature.[4][5] The brand is also rooted in traditional Japanese motifs that range from Japanese kanji and architecture, to patterns used in Japanese paintings.[6]

NIWAKA Corporation
Native name
株式会社 俄
IndustryJewelry
Headquarters105 Fukunaga-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Websitehttps://www.niwaka-en.com/
NIWAKA store.

Currently its headquarters are located in the Nakagyō-ku ward of Kyoto.[7]

History

The company was founded in 1983.[5] In 2001 the brand opened a flagship store and studio in the northern area of the city, in a building designed by Shin Takamatsu Architect and Associates Co, Ltd.[8] One of the most notable aspects of this building is the use of a single glass panel on the front window, which was the largest single panel in production at the time. As a result, the view from the interior resembles a mural.[9]

In 2009 the flagship store and head office were relocated to a new building designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando,[10] near the intersection of Tominokoji and Sanjō streets, an area with many long-established Japanese Ryokan and famous restaurants.[1] According to Tadao Ando, due to the many building ordinances of Kyoto City, it was a difficult task to design the roof because of the many regulations.[1] The building is recognized for its design that blends in with the traditional cityscape of Kyoto.[11]

Present day

The brand plays an important role on the Japanese jewelry market[2] and in recent years it has also gained recognition overseas, being worn at major red carpet events.[5][12][13][11][3] It also makes efforts to preserve the traditional arts and crafts of its birthplace.[14]

On its country of origin, the company currently has 16 directly operated stores and 50 other points of sales.[5] In February 2020 the brand opened a new special concept store in Ginza (Tokyo),[15][16] a five-story building with a design reflective of the company's identity, becoming its largest retail space to date.[16] Its design incorporates traditional Japanese motifs interpreted in a modern way, such as shoji sliding panels, wisteria trellis and the ancient pathways of Kyoto. It also makes use of traditional materials such as Nishijin-ori fabrics in its interior design.[17][18]

The design of this building has received international awards for its modern interpretation of traditional Japanese motifs.[19]

References
  1. modernliving. "安藤忠雄設さん設計ジュエリー「俄」のオープニング／シミリエ". ＭＬ日誌 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  2. "Japan Jewellery Market 2019 Share, Trend, Segmentation and Forecast To 2026 – Dagoretti News". Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  3. Staff Writer (2018-03-06). "NIWAKA Shines On The Red Carpet At The Oscars". Salon Prive Mag. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  4. "日本って美しい。中谷美紀さんをそう言わしめた京都のジュエラーNIWAKA". MASHING UP (in Japanese). 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  5. "Vida Extra | O Óscar que vai para o Japão". Vida Extra (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  6. "Expressing The Power Of Nature: Luxury Jewelry Collections By Niwaka". Luxury Safes. 2020-06-19. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  7. "株式会社俄 第36期決算公告 | 官報決算データベース". catr.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  8. "株式会社高松伸建築設計事務所". 株式会社高松伸建築設計事務所. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  9. "株式会社高松伸建築設計事務所". 株式会社高松伸建築設計事務所. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  10. "NIWAKA Kyoto flagship store / Tadao Ando: TATEMOG". kenchiqoo.net. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  11. Brown, Dustin (2019-04-25). "NIWAKA FINE JEWELRY ON THE RED CARPET". Hollywood Press Corps. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  12. "Oscars 2019: This Year's Top Jewelry Brands". JCK. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  13. "京都発「NIWAKA」がレッドカーペットで愛される理由（PR）". www.wwdjapan.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  14. "日本美を表現「俄 NIWAKA」新作発表会、中谷美紀も登場". www.afpbb.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  15. "Japanese jeweler NIWAKA born in Kyoto. Grand opening of flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo". kokosil Ginza. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  16. "Luxury Kyoto Jewellery Brand NIWAKA Brings its Beautiful Collection to Ginza in Tokyo". MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON | もしもしにっぽん. 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  17. "NIWAKA Ginza store by GARDE | Shop interiors". Architonic. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  18. "Ginza flagship store of NIWAKA - Interior design by GARDE Co., Ltd". AN Shopfitting Magazine (in Italian). 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  19. Awards, MUSE Design. "MUSE Design Awards | NIWAKA". design.museaward.com. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
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