Recorder craftsman Kiyohito Hoshika makes

Specimen stand for COLLECTIBLE PEARL

 

It all started ...

When we came up with the idea of COLLECTIBLE PEARL, a piece of jewelry with replaceable pearls, we felt that it would be a shame to just keep the pearls in the case, even though they are beautiful when removed.
If we could display the removed pearls, people would not only wear them but also feel the beauty of the pearls, so we searched for a stand to display them.

However, while there are specimen stands for displaying minerals, we could not find any stands for displaying pearls, which are smaller than minerals, so we decided to make our own stand.

"We hope that the unprecedented experience of decorating pearls will make them a piece of jewelry that will remain in your memory forever.

 

Prototyping by ourselves

We explored various shapes and materials to see what kind of specimen stand would be best.
Unlike ornamental minerals, pearls are small in size, so we wondered how best to display them when considering viewing them.
We tried using mortar, diatomaceous earth, and a few prototypes of stands using rubber molds we made.

However, no matter how we changed the shape or color, we felt that the hard and expressionless texture was somehow not suitable for displaying the COLLECTIBLE PEARL.

From then on, we thought it was important to use natural materials.
We decided that the best material to use would be wood, as it is harder or softer, and we changed the shape to a taller design.

After discussing this process within the company, we decided that our representative's friend, recorder craftsman Kiyohito Hoshika, would be able to make the ideal stand, and we decided to consult him.

 

Recorder craftsman Kiyohito Hoshika

The man we contacted and met was a cool guy with the impression of a true craftsman.
When we explained to him about the stand we wanted to make, he seemed to think it was similar to a recorder part called a footpiece, and kindly agreed to let us try making it using the same technique he usually uses to make recorders and flutes.

When I visited his workshop later, I learned from his technical explanation that Mr. Hoshika started his career as a craftsman in his twenties and has been making recorders and flutes for a long time. And, his creations are used by professionals all over the world.

We were shown some of the recorders that he had made, and we could see the care and love that had gone into each one. Even for those of us who cannot play, we could see how wonderful his flutes were.

After that, we went back and forth and gradually worked out what we were satisfied with.
From the selection of the wood material to the detailed dimensions of 0.1mm to create a beautiful form, the shape we envisioned and Mr. Hoshika's suggestions based on his experience combined to create a product that became better and better with each prototype.

One of the most memorable conversations I had with Mr. Hoshika was when he said, "The reason why I made so many prototypes is because I have only made recorders before and I don't know the right answer. If it was a recorder that I was asked to make, I would be able to finish making it to my satisfaction." That's what I said.
These were very sincere words, just like him.
We could feel his commitment and thoughts as a maker, which we could never understand, and we could clearly see that he has been sincerely working on making things.

We think that the specimen stand was made with just the right amount of feeling between us and Mr. Hoshika.

This is a drawing of a recorder from the Baroque era, and we were amazed at how detailed the specifications were, down to 0.1mm.

A very large turning machine is his indispensable companion for making large recorders.

The finished specimen stand and the recorder footpiece.

 

Finally finished

There are two types of specimen stands that have finally been finished.

One is made of maple, which has a whitish color and a smooth, elegant surface, and the other is made of boxwood, which has a very fine grain and a hard, heavy feel, and is dyed dark brown.
Both of these woods are dense and beautiful, and are used for recorders and other woodwind instruments.
The maple stand is for those who like a natural look, while the boxwood stand is for those who like a chic, antique look.

As the bar on the stand is removable, it can be used to display something other than COLLECTIBLE PEARL.

To be honest, we never imagined that we would be able to make such a wonderful specimen stand.
It is a really luxurious stand that Mr. Hoshika made with all his thoughts for COLLECTIBLE PEARL.
Please display your favorite pearls and enjoy "looking at pearls".

Kiyoto Hoshika Specimen Stand is on saleClick here

We have put together a video of the production of the stand, if you would like to see it.

* Please set the image quality to 1080p from the Youtube playback setting screen. If it is difficult to see, slow down the playback speed and play.