A small sticker that came with the magazine I purchased the other day. The message "I love making mistakes" caught my eye, and it reminded me of a certain episode written in the essay collection by the musician Masakatsu Takagi that I read sometime ago.

During his trip to Ethiopia, he had an interaction with a guide where there was one thing he simply couldn't tolerate. That was the constant explanations about each thing he saw, such as "This is a building constructed in this year, and this event happened." As he listened to the guide's repeated explanations, he felt that he wanted to first experience the fresh sensations of a new world with his own heart and body, rather than relying on information given by others. In other words, he wanted to be allowed to "misunderstand."

I felt that the message "I love making mistakes" carries a similar sentiment (though this might also be a misunderstanding).. A littleThere may be seeds of new ideas that have not yet existed in the world hidden within mistakes and misunderstandings. A small bug might accidentally lead to a significant discovery. For now, let's set aside whether it is right or wrong and listen to "how I feel." We always aspire to be a brand that can honestly embrace and find joy in what we feel and what emerges from it.

A small sticker that says "I love making mistakes" has found its place in the corner of my laptop.

The other day, I received a call that my grandmother had collapsed, so I headed to the hospital where she was taken. From the window of the hospital room on the second floor of a small hospital by the sea, I can see the ocean. Even though it's already September, the sky is a vibrant blue, and the sea sparkles as if it's still the height of summer. The scenery, filled with such vitality, made me suddenly recall a poem by Kenji Miyazawa.

-

Say with your eyes


It won't do.
It won't stop, huh?
It's bubbling up vigorously.
I haven't slept since last night, and the bleeding continues.
There is a deep blue tranquility all around.
I feel like I'm about to die soon.
But what a nice breeze it is.
Since Seimei is approaching
Just like it rises and swells from such a blue sky
A beautiful breeze is coming.
The tender buds of the maple and flowers like fur
Like waves of autumn grass
The mat made of rush grass with burn marks is also blue.
I don't know if you are coming back from a medical conference or something.
Wearing a black frock coat
If I had been so serious and taken various measures...
Even if I die from this, I have no complaints.
Despite the bleeding
Such a carefree and painless feeling
Did the soul leave the body halfway?
Just for the sake of blood
It is terrible that I can't say that.
From your perspective, it must be quite a desolate scene.
What I can see is
The beautiful blue sky after all
There is only a thin, transparent wind.

(Original text: "Complete Works of Kenji Miyazawa Vol. 2" Chikuma Bunko, Chikuma Shobo)

-

My grandmother, who was hospitalized, fortunately did not suffer any serious issues, and her complexion looked good as she seemed to have recovered quite a bit. The test results were also favorable, and she will be able to be discharged soon. I might someday remember the view of the blue sea that I peeked at from her hospital room.

Recently, I have been thinking more about "human character." I want to be "elegant" not only in myself but also in the brand cobaco, and I strive to operate with that in mind every day.

When we talk about "nobility," it's not necessarily something grand like "nobility" or "overflowing dignity," but rather a nuance of "pleasant demeanor." In the interactions between people, it's about "considering the other person." I feel that there is a sense of nobility in the demeanor that reflects this as a premise of communication.

Easier said than done. When I get busy, I tend to focus the arrow of my heart on myself, and even in situations where I should communicate with someone, I often overlook the other person's feelings and end up behaving carelessly.

The other day, I came across a refreshing essay that serves as a model of "pleasant demeanor." It is a study abroad memoir titled "Red and Blue Gown" by Princess Akiko. It seems to have become a topic of conversation again recently, coinciding with its paperback release in April.

The various episodes depicted during my study abroad at Oxford University always center around people (the other party). Each episode certainly relates to my own experiences, but there is always a close "other" in the line of sight, such as friends, professors, dorm mates, and family. The desire for the reader to truly feel their characters is subtly evident throughout. It feels like every episode is based on the premise of "considering others." I find myself likely to reread it whenever I feel busy and my perspective narrows.

We have four cats living in our home.

The eldest daughter is a beautiful cat full of grace, but she has a fierce side that comes out with just a little annoyance, quickly throwing punches. The second daughter is a spoiled one who tries to climb onto her owner's lap, side, or belly whenever there's a chance, 24/7. The third daughter, who firmly believes that "the center of the idol group is my position," radiates (or rather imposes) cuteness with a strong sense of self-esteem. The youngest son, while being smart enough to listen to his owner's words, also has a timid side that panics at the slightest change.

Living with them makes me realize that everyone is naturally unique without even trying to be individualistic. Moreover, the longer we live together and the closer we get, the more new sides they show us. Just the other day, the youngest son showcased a new sleeping pose (an acrobatic pose reminiscent of the Awa Odori dance).

Speaking of which, I haven't seen the eldest daughter at her favorite windowsill much lately. Although she has tried to jump to that slightly elevated windowsill a few times, she seems to have given up out of laziness. She might be losing confidence in her leg strength now that she is over 10 years old. I am considering installing a step on the wall by the windowsill soon, so that the usual scene of her sitting there can return.

Walking about 10 minutes from Kintetsu Nara Station towards Nara Park, the first torii gate, which marks the beginning of the approach to the main hall of Kasuga Taisha, comes into view. The path to the main hall is approximately 1.3 km. As you proceed, the number of worshippers thins out, the wind becomes cooler, and the silence deepens. This alone is enough to feel the spirituality of the place, but at the "Mikasayama Ukigumo-no-mine Yohaijo" located on the eastern outer side of the corridor that surrounds the main hall, you will find yourself gasping in awe.

There was a tense tranquility there that cannot be explained simply by being outside the corridor. The voices of worshippers who were just around a moment ago, and even their presence, suddenly disappear, leaving behind a mysterious place where only a "silence" akin to noise-canceling in the midst of city hustle and bustle remains.

Upon hearing, it is said that this space is dedicated to offering prayers towards "Mikasayama," the sacred mountain behind Kasuga Taisha, which has been a deep object of faith for about 1300 years. It is the closest place to Mikasayama, where general worshippers are not allowed to enter as it is a "forbidden area."

Perhaps because we are exposed to various noises daily, the serene time/space encountered in this sacred place felt like a very luxurious experience.

When visiting the workshop in Kofu, you can see a variety of metalworking tools lined up on the craftsmen's workbenches. While interacting with the craftsmen, it has become one of my pleasures to gaze at these tools. Hammers with handles carved to fit the hands of the craftsmen who use them, files that are used differently depending on their purpose and number... These tools, shaped by the craftsmen in pursuit of functionality, seem to possess a certain kind of beauty.

Coincidentally, in our new collection "Staple", we focused on one of the tools used by carpenters, the "Kasugai". It is a U-shaped nail driven in to join two pieces of wood together. This technique of fixing wood, brought from the Korean Peninsula, has been used domestically since the Kofun period. A tool that has been responsible for "joining together" since ancient times. This collection began by replacing the materials being joined from wood to natural stone and metal. The beauty of the tools used by craftsmen and our respect for their craftsmanship may have led us to encounter the "Kasugai".

 

A new collection featuring voluminous natural stones with random cuts, secured by U-shaped parts.ステープルOn the occasion of the announcement, we will hold a pop-up event in Nakameguro, Tokyo for two days on June 15th (Saturday) and June 16th (Sunday).

On the first day of the event, at the nail salon "Omotesando" in Tokyovirth +LIMWe welcome nail artist Machiko Yamaguchi, and the event "Oneday Nail Salon」Planning (reservation required). Mr. Yamaguchi, who has a deep knowledge of natural stones, will present the new collection "StapleYou will receive original nails inspired by the natural stones handled in our store.

▼[ Event ] Oneday Nail Salon (Fully Booked)
https://cobaco.shop/blogs/information/00032

In addition, you can try almost all items, including the collection 'Jewelry with a choice of birthstones'.2Days. We are waiting for everyone at a small gallery in Nakameguro.

※All displayed products at the event are sample items for fitting.（一部商品を除く）Order requests can be made online.You can place an order from the store.す。（You can also place orders from the tablet devices in the venue）

[ 日時 ]
6月15日(土）11:00-18:00
June 16 (Sunday) 11:00-16:00

[ 場所 ]
river side Gallery
1-5-10 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Nakameguro Mansion 1F
（2 minutes on foot from Nakameguro Station (Main Ticket Gate) on the Tokyu Toyoko Line）

→[ Google Map ]


For those who wish to receive the DM, please write your "postal code, address, and name" along with "request for event DM."お問い合わせフォームよりご連絡ください。
→終了しました

More neutral, more user-friendly. The packaging for delivering jewelry is being renewed. A jewelry pouch will be included inside the box. Not only the jewelry but also the packaging we deliver is designed to be used for a long time.

▼Eligible for delivery in the new package
Today, Thursday the 4th, we will switch to the new packaging for orders.
*The current package will be gradually switched as it runs out. There is a possibility that those who ordered before the 4th (Thursday) will also receive the new package. Thank you for your understanding in advance.

※ "cobaco BRIDAL" and "cobaco for baby" products will be delivered in the same packaging as before.

 

Heading to the bakery that I learned about from a customer during the recent atelier open day.道すがら、When I looked around, I noticed that cherry blossoms were beginning to bloom here and there.Further along, the scent of daphne wafts past my nose.Perhaps because it has been cold lately, I was still feeling very much in a winter mood, butSpring had come to my feet without me even realizing it.This time of year, I always remember a passage from an essay written by Michio Hoshino during his stay in Fairbanks, Alaska.（For some reason, not in summer, but in spring）

The sensation of the wind caressing my cheeks is sweet,You can tell that the seasons are about to change. (Omitted)Human feelings are quite funny, aren't they?On one hand, I am inevitably influenced by trivial daily matters,The sensation of the wind and the hint of early summer can enrich us so much.（Michiho Hoshino "The Traveling Tree" Bungeishunjū, 1999）

Lately, I've been swayed by "trivial everyday matters,"I was unable to even notice the signs of the new season.The scent of daphne does not come no matter how much I scroll on my smartphone,You won't be able to encounter the cherry blossoms blooming in that place.Don't just settle for spring that comes flowing from social media,I want to feel the spring that touches me directly,This year, I plan to really savor it.

In a world like jewelry, the unit "1mm" is never small. Just a difference of 1mm can make something look delicate, feel elegant, or conversely, give a rough impression. It's fascinating how much the impression can change. By the way, many of cobaco's rings, including the "Gold Ring_plain(narrow)", are approximately 1mm in width. When the ring width reaches 2mm, it falls into the category of wedding rings in our brand.

As I mentioned earlier, we are currently preparing for a package renewal scheduled for this spring. While communicating with the designer we commissioned for the design, a discussion arose about whether "12mm" or "13mm" would be better for a certain part of the package. Here again is the "1mm difference." One feels sleek and tidy, while the other has a good balance and stability, even giving a sense of strength. We ultimately settled on "12mm."

As if delving into the folds of sensation, we focus on the small differences and observe them closely. Then, a world far richer than we imagined begins to unfold. If we hadn't immersed ourselves in this world, we might never have realized its joy. (Well, there are times when I feel like giving up...)

 

いつもお世話になっているloji flowerさんでお迎えした正月飾りを今年もアトリエの玄関口に飾りました。Adding just one shimekazari can cleanse the heart, so to speak,It’s mysterious because it makes me feel pure.

The deity of abundant harvests, Toshigami-samaTo welcome the new year, we have created shimenawa made from woven rice straw,Purification of impurities, the meaning of Mizuhiki,Wakamatsu, urajiro, and hikagekazura, which are auspicious items wishing for longevity...When you unravel it carefully,There are many cultures that Japanese people have cherished within a single ornament.It is interesting to catch a glimpse of what is being awaited.

Despite only being displayed for about two weeks,Since it has been a custom that has remained until now at the beginning of the year,I want to迎えたい the new year peacefully and safely.I suppose the feeling of wishing for that has not changed since ancient times.This year, especially, has been filled with difficult events right from the start of the year.I am deeply aware of the importance of being safe and sound.

-

We express our deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the recent Noto Peninsula earthquake.At the same time, to all those affected by the disaster, as well as your families,We sincerely extend our condolences to all those affected.The safety of everyone in the disaster-affected areas,I pray for a swift recovery.

Starting in January, I am thinking of changing our business style experimentally. Until now, there have been very few opportunities for you to visit the atelier except for the open days held once every one or two months, but we will now allow visits by appointment, mainly on weekends.I will do it。

まずは、定休日を[ 水・Saturday and Sunday・祝 ]から[ 火・水・金・祝 ]に変更.マリッジリングのご相談を承る「Bridal appointment（アトリエ/オンライン）」、マリッジリング以外のジュエリーをご覧いただくための「Jewelry appointment」の枠を設け、週末（土・日）をアポイント制でアトリエへご来店いただけるようにする予定です。

Please make your appointment reservation using the reservation form on the page below.https://cobaco.shop/pages/our-space

The Atelier Open Day is scheduled to be held once a month as before. You can come without a reservation.

[ 定休日 ]
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Holidays
※Including online store operations 

[ Atelier Appointment Day ]
土・日
*Includes online consultation for marriage rings
*Excluding weekends with open days
○ご予約可能な日程は、We will provide information every month on our online store and social media.

[ Atelier Open Day ]
Basically scheduled to be held once a month.

The day before the popup event, the venue setup was finally coming to a close, and the Omotesando Keyaki Street I stopped by on my way home was wrapped in dazzling illuminations. People passing through the streets were carrying large shopping bags on their shoulders. The season to finally feel the Christmas spirit has arrived. 

In the midst of this, we held the exhibition "cobaco pop-up gallery in Tokyo" in Omotesando, Tokyo. Many customers, including those who came to see the Xmas Limited Collection, stopped by. Thank you very much to everyone who visited.

 I look forward to the day we can meet again somewhere next year.

 

Refined and elegant in both style and substance（ぶんしつひんぴん）

装いや立ち居振る舞い、The harmony between the external beauty of language and the substance of one's inner self.れているさま。

-

As part of the online store renewal, a newBrand Concept CopyI met through a proposal from the copywriter I requested.たのが、この言葉でした。I feel that you have captured what we are aiming for.It has completely become my favorite word.

Critic Takami Yoshimoto discusses the "current self" and the "desired self."The dialogue exchanged between us is the most valuable thing.と説きました。What should I do now to get closer to my ideal self?It is by repeatedly asking oneself that abundance is created.Changing your attire or altering your behavior,While trying various things,The appearance and the inside gradually come into balance.その問答の往来のなかで、People may attain a beautiful presence, don't you think?Refined and elegant in both character and style「It is not important to "be," but rather,Refined and elegant in both style and substance「たろうとする」こと、つまり、I believe that the process to get there is what truly matters.

あたらしいブランドコンセプトである"うつくしい日々の予感。」の「予感」からは「Refined and elegant in both style and substanceたろうとする」I believe you will be able to sense the posture.Our jewelry is for the person who wears it "なりたい自分」I hope this will be a trigger to get closer to it,I will continue to work on jewelry making.

Once Halloween is over, the winter season is finally upon us. (That said, even though it's actually November, we still have summer-like days...) We have also rearranged our atelier in line with the start of the Xmas season.

 

いつもアトリエの植木でお世話になっているloji flowerさんにお願いをし、今年は大きなフライングリースを飾ることに。

In the event "cobaco's Photo Studio" held in September, we will wrap seasonal plants such as eucalyptus, blue ice, and Satsuma cedar around the branches of the ashibi tree that appeared.

It has been finished to be something powerful enough to fill the ceiling of the atelier. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the atelier, which will be dressed for winter, on the open days in November and December.

We are planning to hold an exhibition in Tokyo for the first time in a while on December 2-3. This exhibition will be the only pop-up event this winter, featuring the Christmas limited collection 'Selectable Diamonds'. Four types of diamonds with different cuts have been crafted into jewelry with combination colors.

*The products displayed at the event are all sample items for fitting. If you wish to place an order, please use the online store. (You can also place an order from a tablet device within the venue.)

Thank you very much for always using cobaco.
We have renewed and reopened our official online store.

In conjunction with the renewal, there is no change to the top page URL (https://cobaco.shop/), but the product detailsThe addresses other than the top page, such as columns, will be changed.If you have registered the URLs of pages other than the homepage in your "Favorites" or "Bookmarks",We apologize for the inconvenience, but please make the changes to your registration.
  Your registered member information has been transferred to the new site, but for security reasons, the password at the time of login cannot be transferred.
We have sent an email regarding the account transfer as of October 20th.We apologize for the inconvenience, but please check and reset your password.

To celebrate the renewal of our online store, we are offering a 2000 yen OFF coupon to those who complete the "Member Information Transfer" procedure by November 30th, as well as to new members who register. For more details, please refer to "[ Limited Time Offer ] Get a Coupon for New Member Registration」をご覧ください。

We will continue to strive to create a better shop in the future, so
We sincerely appreciate your continued support.

 

The commemorative plate made of brass is delivered together with the baby ring.
A few months or years after delivery, we have received feedback from customers saying, "It has become a bit dull," and "Perhaps because everyone in the family has been touching the plate, fingerprints have started to appear."

 

Brass is a metal that develops a unique texture due to surface oxidation. Over time, it can acquire an antique feel, which adds to its "character," but it can also suffer from excessive rust and darkening due to factors like skin oils, moisture, and oxidation.

Regular maintenance is necessary to keep it in good condition until the day your child reaches adulthood. 

Approximately six months ago, I received a commemorative plate from a friend family who ordered a baby ring (Thank you, T-san, for your cooperation).
After delivery, it seems that everyone in the family touched it with their hands and then put it back in the case. As time has passed, the areas that were touched by hands have become quite dark. I am thinking of actually trying to see how clean it can get.

 

What you need is baking soda or vinegar. Additionally, a toothbrush, a container, and kitchen paper as needed. This time, I would like to try using both baking soda and vinegar to see the actual effects.

When you search on the internet, you often come across articles that say, "Use baking soda to clean brass." Let's start by trying baking soda.

 

容器に重曹を入れます。

 

Add a small amount of water and knead it a little with your fingers.

 

Place the kneaded baking soda on the plate and gently rub it with your fingers.

 

After polishing to a certain extent overall, it's now time for the toothbrush. An old one will do just fine.

 

We will polish around the grooves where the engraving is located. It should take about 1-2 minutes. There is no need to polish for too long. Once you are done polishing, please rinse with water and baking soda.

 

This is the plate after being polished with baking soda. How does it look? The overall dullness has been removed, and it has become shiny, but the areas where fingerprints left dark marks are still stained.

Now, let's try using vinegar.

 

Place the plate on the container and add vinegar until the plate is submerged.

 

In this state, please soak for a few minutes. (Depending on the level of dirt, please adjust the soaking time. Soaking for too long can cause corrosion due to acetic acid, which may lead to darkening again.)
By the way, this time I pulled it up in about a minute.

 

While rinsing with water and vinegar, focus on scrubbing the areas with remaining dark stains using a toothbrush to finish up.

 

This is complete. It has become shiny just like when it was delivered.

 

The left side is before polishing, and the right side is after polishing.

If the overall dullness is mild, baking soda can be used, but if there are stubborn dark stains caused by sebum, using vinegar to scrub can significantly remove the dirt.

This time, we introduced a care method using items you have at home, but there are also cloths for polishing brass. You can find them at 100 yen shops, so it might be convenient to have one on hand. We hope you can take care of your items in an easy way.

【注意点】
○Please use room temperature water for cleaning, as the adhesive used to secure the stones can become loose (hot water and lukewarm water are not allowed). Also, be careful not to soak it in water for too long.
○ Leaving it wet can cause rust or discoloration. Be sure to dry it thoroughly before storing it in the box.
○Our commemorative plates have a matte finish on the surface. Please be careful not to polish them too much, as it may remove the matte finish.
○From around September 2023, a special treatment has been applied to the surface for oxidation prevention. Please do not forcefully clean it, especially if there are no noticeable discolorations, as the treatment may peel off.

 

リングサイズを測るための「リングサイズゲージ」。「リングをオーダーしたがサイズがわからない」という方に向けて、以前は市販の器具をレンタルするかたちで対応してきました。

Most people are able to find their size using a commercially available ring size gauge. However, it is also true that some people have difficulty choosing a size even after measuring with the gauge. Out of 10 people who rent a size gauge, 1-2 people will contact us with concerns about their size.

I always try to convey as much information as possible based on what I have been told. However, it is also true that there are limitations since I have not actually seen it in front of me. I have been thinking about how to help you determine your size with confidence.

While it's difficult to find the perfect solution, we can only start with what we can do. That's why we created our original size gauge (see the photo above). There are two major differences compared to commercially available size gauges.

 

One is that it can be measured in increments of "0.5 sizes." At our store, you can order ring sizes in increments of "0.5 sizes," but commercially available size gauges can only measure in increments of "1 size." For example, if "size 9 is tight but size 10 is loose, then it is probably size 9.5," you had no choice but to order based on guesswork. First of all, we wanted to make it possible to measure accurately rather than guess. (By the way, the "h" on the size gauge in the photo stands for "half." The one marked "0h" corresponds to a size of "0.5.")

 

And another point is the "ring width." Many of our rings are slim, so when using a standard size gauge (photo on the right), the ring width appears to be about 3mm, which can make it difficult to imagine the actual wearing comfort. Of course, whether the ring width is thick or thin, if it is a "size 9," the inner diameter of any ring will be the same. However, there are strict differences in how the ring passes through the joint and the fit at the base of the finger between slim rings and thicker ones.

 

We would like you to try it in a state as close to the actual product as possible, so we have created a size gauge based on our "Gold Ring_plain (wide)" (ring width approximately 1.5mm) with a slim ring width (photo left).

 

The logo plate is attached, and it's complete.

 

We have several dozen sets available. However, during busy seasons, we may run out, so we may deliver a commercially available size gauge instead. Please understand this in advance. (If you really want to measure with the original size gauge, please let us know when placing your order.)

*For those with metal allergies, we will send a plastic size gauge (commercially available). Please indicate in the remarks section that you have an allergy. (The plastic version corresponds to "size 1" increments.)
※If you order a marriage ring or a ring with a wide band, we will rent out a commercially available size gauge.