Japan Jewellery Designers Association (JJDA) was established in 1964, when the domestic demand for jewellery started to serge. It was formed as a voluntary association with the goal of raising the awareness of jewellery design as a form of creative expression. In 1988, JJDA then become an "incorporated association" which was administrated by the "Ministry of International Trade and Industry". In 2012 JJDA made a new start as a "Public Interest Incorporated Association" certified by the prime minister. One of JJDA’s main aims is to contribute to the Japanese economy and enrich people’s lives through the development of jewellery design.In order to achieve this aim, JJDA has been involved in a wide range of activities. These include, giving awards at jewellery design competitions, promoting and enlightening through jewellery exhibitions, developing human resources by holding lectures, courses and symposiums, and emphasizing the promotion of mutual understanding through international exchanges. As one of these exchange programs, JJDA has held international exhibitions since their establishment. In addition, JJDA currently participate in various jewellery shows abroad to promote "Japanese jewellery design" to the world.
JJDA is comprised of professional jewellery designers who are active in various fields, including artists who have refined their skills through continuous artistic creation, designers who specialize in the use of precious stones and metals, and educators who teach younger people at nationwide educational institutes such as universities and vocational schools. Some members have sought new opportunities overseas, and have become successfully active on the international stage, promoting and showcasing Japanese jewellery design.
JJDA continues to carry out the main principle of their foundation, to explore the beauty of the highest quality of jewellery design, and to continue with efforts to enable individual users to enjoy a better life in both material and spiritual terms, through jewellery. JJDA is able to contribute to economic growth and improve quality of life, nationwide.
Ⅰ. Activities relevant to application, judgment, announcement of prizewinners, and awarding of jewellery design competitions.
JJDA is always furthering the development of the biennial jewellery design competitions that have been held since their establishment in 1964 to promote even higher standards of jewellery design. JJDA views jewellery as a form of art design, and value much more than its material value. Based on this concept, JJDA widely calls for entries for finished work and also design drawings. JJDA’s final goal is to establish a firm position within the jewellery world and to cultivate human resources for the next generation by improving standards of Japanese jewellery design by awarding prizewinners.
Jewellery design competition activities*JJDA holds “Japan Jewellery Art Competitions”biannually as a gateway to cultivating and furthering careers for new designers. As a result, the next generation of jewellery designers will be promoted and celebrated.
* JJDA can observe how jewellery design drawings can be a way of exploring possibilities for advancing designers’skills and design ideas through “Japan Jewellery Design competitions”.
Ⅱ. Activities relevant to investigation study and human resource development regarding jewellery design.
Jewellery can enrich lives, and people have become aware that it is not merely an ornament, but a symbol of love, passion, unity and of a peaceful life. Therefore, it is highly beneficial to study the affect jewellery can have on peoples lives.For beginners, JJDA organizes practical seminars on design and craft with an aim to raise their interest in jewellery. For intermediate learners, JJDA holds lectures regarding the history and culture of jewellery by specialists, allowing them to deepen their knowledge, and cultivate the ability that is required to start a professional career.
In regard to the international issue of intellectual property rights, JJDA researches and studies the industrial property rights and copyright within the Jewellery design field. JJDA is always striving to make people aware of how the value of design is important.
Research and study
*JJDA researches and studies the role of jewellery design and conducts a census of jewellery designers.
*JJDA helps to improve jewellery design skills by introducing new techniques as well as encouraging traditional techniques.
* On request, JJDA members can be sent to schools or groups to give lectures and technical guidance, nationwide.
Seminars and lectures*JJDA promotes jewellery design by holding seminars, lectures, and symposiums featuring experts from various fields.
*JJDA encourages jewellery design skills by holding seminars on new and traditional techniques throughout the nation.
Workshops*JJDA holds practical seminars for beginners and/or parent and child.
PROTECTION OF DESIGN COPYRIGHTS
*JJDA researches and studies intellectual property rights such as design rights and copyright, and raises awareness of those by holding lectures and publishing booklets.
Ⅲ. Activities to enrich people's lives by offering information on jewellery design and holding exhibitions of high level jewellery design from home and abroad.
JJDA’s goal is to enrich people's lives by exhibiting cutting edge jewellery all over the country. JJDA collects information from overseas and is always trying to improve dispatching information to the world from JJDA in order to increase knowledge of Japanese jewellery design. JJDA is always striving to promote mutual understanding with foreign countries.JJDA offers information regarding jewellery design to a wide range of people through our original journals and website.
Exhibition*JJDA holds exhibitions that always offer new ideas within the jewellery design field, all over the nation.
Public relations and publishingPublication of organization bulletin "JJDA" (annual), newsletter for all JJDA members (monthly) and Exhibition’s book
International Exchange*JJDA promotes Japanese jewellery design to the world by holding exhibitions overseas and also participate in jewellery shows in various countries.
*JJDA introduces foreign jewellery design to a wide range of people by holding exhibitions and lectures of f
oreign jewellery designers in Japan.History of the international exchange program
| 1964 | Establishment of the JJDA |
| 1970 | “International Jewellery Art Exhibition” was held, featuring guest artists’ works from thirteen countries. |
| 1974 | Two Japan-Italy exchange exhibition programs, “Japan Jewellery Art” in Arezzo and “Italian Modern Jewellery Exhibition” in Tokyo were held. |
| 1983 and 1986 |
“International Jewellery Art Competition” was held, marking our first competition with submissions from both Japan and overseas. |
| 1983 | “Japanese Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition” was held and toured five cities in Europe: Pforzheim, Hanau, Munich, Lausanne, and Vienna. This event continued until 1984. |
| 1996 | Participated in an international exchange exhibition “Contemporary Japanese Crafts and Jewelry Design” at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles. |
| 1998 | A travelling exhibition of Contemporary Jewellery was held, featuring guest Australian artists, in two cities: Tokyo, and Itami. |
| 2000 | A travelling exhibition of Contemporary Jewellery was held, featuring guest Austrian artists, in three cities: Tokyo, Itami, and Nagoya. |
| 2002 | A travelling exhibition of Contemporary Jewellery was held, in featuring guest Swedish artists, in three cities: Tokyo, Itami, and Nagoya. |
| 2002 | Participated in the “Jewellery Mission Round Table Conference” in Tokyo, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. |
| 2004 | “Jewellery – the Next Value” exhibition was held in Tokyo, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the JJDA. |
| 2004 and 2005 |
Participated in the “Orogemma” September exhibitions in Vicenza, Italy. The 2005 exhibition was co-organized with JETRO. |
| 2004 to 2008 |
Participated in the “September Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch Fair”. From 2005 to 2007, our participation was co-organized with JETRO. The 2007 fair was designated as one of the official events of “Japan China Culture Sport 2007”, celebrating the 35th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. |
| 2005 | A travelling exhibition, “The 23rd Japan Jewellery Design Competition” was held in Sydney, marking our first overseas tour. |
| 2005 to 2009 |
Participated in the “Hong Kong International Jewellery Show”. JJDA put up its promotive booth. |
| 2008 | A travelling exhibition “The Pioneers of Art Jewellery from America” was held, featuring works from guest American artists, in five cities: Tokyo, Itami, Sendai, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. |
| 2008 | A commemorative exhibition and workshop “Jewellery – Expressions of a New Sensibility” was held at the Mikimoto hall in Tokyo, celebrating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the JJDA. |
| 2009 | JJDA members’ exhibition was held at the Armony Art Center in Florida. |
| 2010 | Participated in the “Eclat de Mode” exhibition in January, in Paris, with support from JETRO. |
| 2012 | Transformed JJDA’s corporate form to “Public Interest Incorporated Association” certified by the prime minister of Japan. |
Regional projects
JJDA carries out regional projects including jewellery design promotion, exchange activities, and workshops.
Ⅳ. Others
For members:*Workshops, excursions, and conferences.
*Information offered by journal and email magazine.
Co-operation and communication with related organizations:
*Communication and corroboration with government agencies and related organizations.
*Joint hosting, support, co-sponsorship, and co-operation with the events that are held by related organizations.
Organization
- Established: June 1964
- Incorporated: March 30, 1988
- Transformed to Public Interest Incorporated Association: April 1, 2012
- Current Membership: (as of April 1, 2013)
- Regular members: 438
- Associate members: 23 companies, 4 individuals
- Honorable members: 3
(Officers for 2011-2013)
- ------------------------------
- President
- SUGANUMA Tomoyuki
- ------------------------------
- Vice Presidents
- ARAKAWA Yoshiaki
- NAGAI Junko
- ------------------------------
- Executive Director
- KOMIYA Takako
- ------------------------------
- Directors
- ITO Hiroaki
- IMURA Hiroshi
- IWAMA Dai
- EIBI Michiko
- KASHIWAGURA Kazutoshi
- KUROSAWA Shuji
- KOBAYASHI Makoto
- SEKINE Masafumi
- TANAKA Haruhiko
- TANINAKA Yoko
- HIRAKO Koichi
- HOSHI Fumiko
- MIKI Minoru
- ------------------------------
- Auditors
- OBA Yoko
- NOMOTO Aiko
- OUCHI Masamichi
- ------------------------------
- Advisors
- ISHIKURA Yosie
- KIMATA Hajime
- ------------------------------
- Honorable member
- IWAKURA Koji
- SHINO Kazuko
- YAMADA Reiko
- ------------------------------
- Meritorious person
- EGUCHI Shu
- KANEKO Shunji
- FUJITA Hitoshi
Organizational Chart
Administrative office
Japan Jewellery Designers Association JJDA
Address: Arai Bldg.8F, 4-11-7 Hacchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0032,Japan
Phone: 81-3-3523-7344 / Fax: 81-3-3523-7346
E-mail : sec@jjda.or.jp
Executive secretary: UEDA Yukiko