This month marks five years since the devastating tsunami in Japan.
Yet I had no idea of the looming anniversary, when a few weeks ago, I ordered a birthday gift online for my stepmother.
Saya Necklace – available in many colours (lots of blue!) and designs
So nobody was more surprised than me to discover that the 5th anniversary was on the 11th March – which also happens to be my stepmother’s birthday.
I’d stumbled across the Nozomi Project on Facebook some time ago, and have been following ever since.
Jewellery with a Story
The project was launched in 2012, to help women in Ishinomaki, Japan in the aftermath of the tsumani which had destroyed so much – homes, shops, incomes, families and lives.
Taking broken pieces of pottery, debris left in the wake of the tsunami, the women of the Nozomi project transform them into unique pendants and other items of jewellery. This social enterprise brings hope – in fact, Nozomi is the Japanese word for hope – a sustainable income, skills, purpose, and a sense of community to an area that has suffered much.
The jewellery is a concrete example, of how with the right climate of help and gentle encouragement, brokenness can sometimes be transformed into something beautiful.
The Nozomi Project has since expanded its range to include notecards and kimono accessories; all make wonderful gifts.
Just as I suspected, my stepmum – who is passionate about social enterprise – absolutely loved her new necklace, and the story behind it.
And we both got goosebumps, when we realised the extraordinary coincidence that I was giving it to her on what was not only her birthday, but also the fifth anniversary of the tsunami.
Do you have any items of jewellery with a story? Share it in the comments below!
That is indeed an extraordinary story.
Many thanks again for my beautiful necklace Janet. I love the idea behind the Nozomi project. It’s wonderful that it’s helping women to gain employment and social connection after the devastating tsunami and earthquake. Each piece of jewellery is unique and lovingly made by the sound of it. That made your gift even more special. As you know, I have friends in Japan who we’ve visited and so I have some connection with the country. I’d love to visit the place where they make the jewellery one day. As you say, it was quite strange that you ordered the necklace without knowing about the anniversary!
What a wonderful present, Janet. What a thoughtful daughter in law you are. It doesn’t seem like 5 years since that tragedy.
That is beautiful Janet, what a thoughtful gift.
I have a lovely sterling silver ring with a beautiful piece of ceramic in it, not from Japan but from the Netherlands as I understand it. I love the tactile feel of it and the fact that it dips like the edge of a plate or a saucer might. You have reminded me that I should wear it more often x