Nukumori

The pearls were obtained from the great-grandson of Yasuie Tōdō, the inventor of pearl stain removal in 1922 and founder of Takahashi Pearl. More than a century ago, Tōdō invested in pearl farms in Sukumo City, Kōchi Prefecture, where the world’s first round cultured pearls were created. Although a flood in 1920 destroyed those farms, his later invention of stain removal became a cornerstone of modern pearl processing and remains widely used today.

Kept in his family for decades, these pearls are estimated to be at least 60 years old—likely older, perhaps from the period when Sukumo’s pearl farms were still active. While they are not flawless, their meaning lies in their origin and the history they carry.

At Flower Jem, I have named these pearls the Sixty Series. If you would like to learn more about the history behind the Sixty Series, please visit here:

Akoya Pearls with a Century of History – The Sixty Collection Bracelet

In this time, I am introducing a pair of 9mm stud earrings from this series. These pearls were harvested at least 60 years ago, yet they remain in remarkably good condition. In the past, pearl cultivation was said to last not just one or two years, as it does today, but three to four years or even longer. Because of this, the nacre layers became thicker and more durable.

The luster is not strong, but it has a warm glow. That is why I named this piece Nukumori, which means “warmth.” This is the atmosphere I feel from these pearls.

As for the price, I have not included any personal sense of historical value, because there is no definitive proof that they were harvested more than 60 years ago. Of course, I did receive these pearls directly from Mr. Todo, the great-grandson of Todo Yasui, who invented the pearl stain removal technique. From a historical perspective, I do believe they hold great value, but I have not added that as a premium. Pricing is based solely on the market value at the time I acquired them from Mr. Todo.

With the Sixty Series pearls, their true value cannot be understood by appearance alone. Knowing their history—the legendary pearl site of Sukumo, and the legacy of Todo Yasui—greatly enhances their appeal. They are pearls that have transcended time, revived in this era. Perhaps Ise is not the only true birthplace of pearls.

I invite you to enjoy not only the beauty of these earrings but also the hidden history of pearls that comes with them.

Here is the video that captures the making process of these earrings:

Around the 2:00:50 mark, you can see these earrings in progress. The pearl pairs labeled A through E are the Sixty Series, and this particular pair, Nukumori, corresponds to pair C. Watching the video will also allow you to compare them with the other Sixty Series pieces. I invite you to take a look.