In the first part, we heard from the artisan Mr. Kamiyama and the concierge Ms. Iwakigawa about their respective roles and the feelings they pour into each ring, along with Ms. Takahashi, who spoke about the direction that the artisans and concierges should aim for. In this latter part, we focus on the unique essence of ith that can be felt especially in Kichijoji, where it all began.
Kichijoji: A Place Filled with Many Emotions
—Kichijoji is the place where ith began. It must be special, especially for Ms. Takahashi, but what does the Kichijoji atelier mean to all of you?
Takahashi: For me, Kichijoji is the place where I first met with customers after starting on my own, so it holds a special place in my heart. However, it’s also a place of tough memories because it was just me at the beginning, and it was overwhelmingly busy. It holds both good and tough memories for me.
Kamiyama: For me, having both a workshop and an atelier in Kichijoji, where customers can tour the workshop and experience making, is an invaluable environment. As a craftsman, I get a bit nervous when customers come to visit (laughs).
Iwakigawa: For us, the concierges, it’s reassuring to have craftsmen nearby. When unsure about a design or specification, we can consult while looking at actual pieces. Also, because it's the birthplace of ith, some customers come from far away, which means very high expectations. There is a pressure to convey our concept properly.
Takahashi: I have a standard in my mind, and I want someone who can protect this birthplace to manage the Kichijoji atelier. It's that important to me. Thus, the person managing it should not be too emotional, able to empathise with customers while discussing the technical aspects of ring creation. Ms.Iwakigawa fits perfectly here in terms of personality and all.
Iwakigawa: Thank you! I make sure to convey not just the visual design but also the comfort considerations from Ms.Takahashi’s perspective as a craftsman, the playful elements, and the fact that each piece is crafted with care.
Handling Each Piece with Care, Enjoying the Process
—Ith's concept is "value one over many." What do you all keep in mind in your work to stay true to this principle?
Kamiyama: Craftsmen in the jewellery industry are generally driven by production time and deadlines per ring, but ith prioritizes finish over efficiency. Thus, I make sure everything from the engraving to the textures is done with care.
Iwakigawa: What I keep in mind is to "enjoy the process" myself. I want to share the unique ring-making process of ith with customers and enjoy it together.
Takahashi: The concept of "valuing one over many" is a promise to our customers. Just as each customer is unique, even if the designs look the same, the reasons and details chosen are different. Therefore, both concierges and craftsmen remember that each ring is being made for a unique pair of customers. This is our common language at ith.
—2024 marks the 10th anniversary of ith. How do each of you feel about this milestone from your respective positions?
Kamiyama: As an artisan, as the brand grows, I need to ensure our skills and knowledge keep up with the pace, so I'm gearing up not to be overwhelmed by this growth.
Iwakigawa: One thing that surprised me when I joined was how ith's internal information systems are continuously evolving. It's necessary for enhancing the brand's value, showing how flexible and growing the organisation is.
Kamiyama: Yes, I have the impression that ith is flexible as an organisation and as a manufacturing company.
Takahashi: Simply repeating what we can already do won't lead to growth. We need to evolve as a brand, and that means we all need to continue challenging ourselves with new ventures.
Continuing ith’s Legacy, Growing Further
—Ms. Takahashi, as well as Mr. Kamiyama and Ms. Iwakigawa, you now also train juniors. What do you focus on in this role?
Kamiyama: ith has a wide variety of textures and a very unique feel. As a craftsman, I convey not to deviate from the "ith-like craftsmanship" envisioned by Ms.Takahashi.
Iwakigawa: As a concierge, new concierges tend to focus on closing deals, but I emphasise empathising with each couple, understanding their stories and needs, and creating rings together. Just explaining specifications isn't enough to create something truly great. I've trained juniors in my previous job, but never to this level of detailed collaboration, which I'm still learning from.
—Finally, is there a dream that you would like to achieve at ith in the future?
Kamiyama: Right now, we have a group of young and skilled craftsmen in the workshop, but each of them is still learning some processes, so I would like to instruct them well and create the "greatest group of craftsmen".
Takahashi: If the technical skills of the workshop are high, concierges can rest assured, and it will also give everyone working at the workshop confidence. Even if the number of craftsmen increases in the future, I hope that the entire workshop will continue to pass on these values.
Iwakigawa: Of course, I want to protect the atelier where it all began, but I also have another dream as a concierge. That is to help customers for whom I have worked on wedding and engagement rings to make their anniversary rings. I look forward to the day when I can meet again with customers who have told me that they want to make rings at ith again.
Takahashi: Because the Kichijoji atelier is where we began, we have many customers who have been with us for a long time. So I would like to develop an environment where we can meet any request as a place where those customers can always come back.
Photo left: Mr. Kamiyama [Workshop Leader]
Photo center: Ms. Takahashi [ith Founder]
Photo right: Ms. Iwakigawa [Chief of Kichijoji Atelier]
Profiles
Ms. Takahashi [ith Founder]
Since its establishment in 2014 at the Kichijoji Atelier, she has been actively involved in both customer service and ring creation. Currently, the founder still personally handles customer interactions at the atelier, leading ith at the forefront. The philosophy that "the wearer is the protagonist" has remained unchanged from the beginning, emphasising a commitment to considering what can be done for customers.
Ms. Iwakigawa [Chief of Kichijoji Atelier, Concierge]
Joined in 2020 without prior experience in the jewellery industry, quickly mastering necessary knowledge and meeting many customers' expectations. Promoted to chief of the Kichijoji Atelier in 2022, she now not only handles customer interactions but also trains junior concierge.
Mr. Kamiyama [Workshop Leader]
Joined as a craftsman in 2021. Previously worked at a bridal jewellery company, mainly responsible for setting stones, but wanted to engage in various processes in ring making and moved to ith. Now, as the workshop leader, he also instructs mid-level staff in techniques.
