Update: February 22, 2019

History of the Yamanashi Jewelry Industry

1. Jewelry Industry Origins

The Yamanashi jewelry industry owes its development to the presence of rock crystal mined in the area around Mt. Kinpu (2,599m), part of the Chichibu range located in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. In Yamanashi, the term “jewelry industry” refers to the polishing and design aspects of the industry. This is because the industry has its ro ots in two different areas: crystal crafts (i.e., crystal polishing) and precious metal crafting (i.e., decorative metal-works). Both can be traced back to the final years of the Edo period (1850-1868), but it was during the mid-Meiji period (1880-1900) that the two merged in the production of jewelry for personal adornment, supplying highly marketable finished products.

2. Toward Large-Scale Jewelry Production

In the early twentieth century, the basis for mass production was established with the advent of electricity and mechanization paving the way for a change in the way polishing was done. A new abrasive made by silicon carbide also came into use. It was early in the Taisho era (1912-1926) that the decorative metal working industry in Kofu, the capital of Yamanashi, also began shifting toward the production of luxury personal ornaments made of precious metals, and businesses with mechanized equipment for mass production started to appear. As Yamanashiʼs crystal supply became exhausted, large quantities started to be imported from Brazil in the early 20th century. With the new supply of raw material, mass production of the same standard of goods continued. Along with the expansion of the domestic market, crystal goods and jewelry were exported to the United States and sold in China. This laid the foundation for Yamanashi to become the production center of crystal polishing and precious metalworking industries, and become famous for crystal all over Japan.

3. Wartime Decline Followed by Occupation Boom

During WWII (1930-1945), the crystal polishing industry was integrated into production of goods to meet military demand: crystal oscillators, optical lenses, and insulators, for example. The industry was also severelyhit by the National Regulation of the Production and Sales of Luxury Items issued in 1940. In 1945, 80 percent of the city of Kofu was reduced to rubble in the air raids, and the traditional jewelry industry that had been the cityʼs pride was in decline. However, after the war ended, the industry made a remarkable recovery, mainly through the mass production of necklaces, earrings, rings, and crystal work as souvenirs for Occupation soldiers.

4. Jewelry During the Period of Rapid Economic Growth

After the boom in souvenirs for Occupation troops ended, production began to shift to meet Japanese demand which was increasing in reaction to the suppression of luxury items in wartime. The 1950s saw mass production of mainly brass, gold-colored material, or silver personal ornaments using semi-precious stones, synthetic gems, or glass. The output in this period also included a wide variety of items ranging from interior decor to industrial applications. As Japan entered a period of rapid economic growth and Japanese life was marked by economic stability, Japanese preferences in personal adornments shifted to more luxurious products. The Yamanashi industry began crafting middle and high-grade jewelry with diamonds or colored gemstones set in yellow colored gold, white gold, or platinum in response to the market demand, which was becoming more discriminating and diverse.

5. The Yamanashi Prefectural Jewelry Art College, and the Bubble Economy

Imports of bullion and gold products were deregulated in 1973, leading to an influx of gold products which influenced the design and workmanship of Yamanashi jewelry. At the same time, the variety of jewelry being made increased as using gold as a material in addition to platinum. In 1981, as par t of an effor t to spread recognition of Y amanashi as a production center for jewelry, the Yamanashi Prefectural Jewelry Art College opened its doors to train young people to sustain the industry. Many of its graduates became active in the jewelry industry throughout the country. During the bubble economy of the 1980s, jewelry became highly popular, and Yamanashiʼs jewelry industry grew. When the bubble burst, however, the jewelry market shrank and became stagnant.

6. After the Bubbleʼs Collapse: New Proposals for Jewelry

Although Yamanashi is one of the most famous areas for the production of jewelry, the jewelry market is shrinking and jewelry production in Yamanashi has fallen accordingly. The industry also faces issues such as imports of foreign brands, the rise of competitors in neighboring countries, and the decline of existing markets. New efforts are being made to create a Yamanashi Jewelry brand and to become a production zone for the global market in addition to manufacturing with the traditional techniques. In this way jewelry production in Yamanashi is shifting toward a structure with greater competitiveness in international markets.