If is often said that when something new meets something old, something unique happens. But Nude Jewelry also proves that when you combine two different old things, we get something really unique too.
It’s known as “Indian Henna Art” here. “Henna has been used to adorn young women’s bodies as part of social and holiday celebrations since the late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean” (Wikipedia). Henna art has become popular around the world because it’s something like an instant tattoo that girls can enjoy before it wears off.
The skill and technique for making pure gold leaves also dates back before Christ. It’s seen in many regions, and the art was developed by the hands of the skilled craftsmen in each region. Japan is one of the regions, and it has a long history of gold leafing, and artifacts. The most famous place in Japan to see gold leaves is Kanazawa of the Ishikawa prefecture. Their technique developed the famous Kinkaku-ji Temple (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto.
Having roughly explained the two traditions, I would like to introduce Nobukhiko Akatsuka, a jewelry designer who created “Nude Jewelry”. It is reminiscent of traditional henna, but with a twist — one uses pure gold or platinum foil, and Swarovski crystals. It is painless, sets quickly, and is easy to remove. However, it can only be applied by a certified Nude Jewelry artist.
It has become famous among wedding brides… since the Japanese traditionally spend a lot for weddings, the bridal industry also knows to charge a lot. It’s also popular among models and party-goers. Additionally, dancers like it since it doesn’t get in the way of their movement, and it adds such elegant glitter on stage. Of course, it costs more than henna since you are using pure gold. But sometimes the fun you have is worth more than gold, right?