Ikeda Kobo Workshop | Bekko Turtle Shell Craft | Cultural Experience in Nara Japan | Jewelery Making

Bekko Turtle Shell Jewelery
Bekko is the traditional Japanese craft of turtle shell work, using the shell of the hawksbill turtle to create elegant accessories and decorative items. This craft, which dates back over 1,300 years, involves a meticulous process of heating, molding, carving, and polishing to highlight the shell's natural beauty and bring out its natural translucence and unique patterning.
Bekko artistry is highly valued for its aesthetic qualities, showcasing a deep, warm color palette and a distinctive marbled effect. This ancient craft is recognized for its elegance and craftsmanship which embodies the Japanese appreciation for natural beauty and sustainable art.
Ikeda Workshop is known for its skilled traditional craftsmanship, particularly for its intricate openwork carving designs on the delicate natural material of turtle shell. In recent years, the workshop has been applying these techniques to various items, and collaborating with artisans from other industries to create new works that build upon traditional techniques.
WORKSHOP: Bekko Turtle Shell Craft Experience
Create a one-of-a-kind original accessory using the offcuts from crafting.
You will be able to make a petite pendant.
*By reservation only.
The experience is limited to 4 people per session. Date and time are subject to consultation.
The cost starts from ¥5,500 (may vary depending on the material price).
*To participate, you will need to have someone with you that can speak Japanese to act as an interpreter. This is a non-negotiable condition of accepting overseas tourists to the workshop. If you would like assistance to sourcing an interpreter (paid or volunteer), please feel free to contact us: [e-mail]
*IMPORTANT NOTICE
Hawksbill turtles are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which means taking anything made from bekko out of Japan is prohibited.
If you plan to take what you make out of Japan, alternative material will be provided so that you do not break international or Japanese laws.
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