About KICHIYA 吉屋

Greetings

Hello and welcome. I am the founder of KICHIYA.

I was born and raised in Japan, and I have now spent nearly half of my life there and the other half in the United States. I believe I was around ten years old when I first began to ponder life's earliest and greatest questions: Who am I? Where do I come from? And where am I going? Perhaps you have had a similar experience. This questioning spirit led me to follow my heart and explore many different paths.

A Journey into Jewelry

After finishing my education, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work at the Maison of Chanel. Amidst many wonderful experiences there, I was involved in the process of jewelry repair, where I witnessed firsthand the incredible skill, passion, and dedication of the artisans. As someone who already loved jewelry, I was deeply moved and decided to pursue the path of jewelry creation myself.

My curiosity deepened, and I made the decision to move to the United States to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. I immersed myself in the world of jewelry design and, while still a student, was honored to receive an award at a student show. This led to an internship and, upon graduation, a full-time position. I then spent the next 14 years working as a jewelry designer.

A Career in Design

I had the honor of designing the first-ever runway jewelry for Jennifer Lopez's brand, "JLO." After designing for several other fashion brands, I became the Head Designer for Miriam Haskell, a celebrated brand that handles both design and production in New York. Through this role, I had the privilege of seeing my jewelry worn by numerous notable figures, including Michelle Obama, Mila Kunis, Sheryl Crow, and Kim Kardashian. I also had the invaluable experience of collaborating with The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A New Realization and the Origin of KICHIYA

After leaving Miriam Haskell, I wanted to understand the world of high-end jewelry, which led me to an opportunity at Tiffany & Co., a brand born in my then-hometown of New York. There, in the store’s Home department, I had a profound realization. I was reminded of the importance of not only incorporating quality and beauty into daily life but also of the environment we place ourselves in and the mindset with which we live each day. This value of living a life of care and intention became a core part of my own existence.

As I began to mindfully clean and beautify my home, I started to wonder, "What more can I do?" I explored practices like Feng Shui, and in doing so, I realized that many of the simple, daily habits I had in Japan were, in fact, incredibly important practices for cultivating good fortune.

Fortune is Something You Cultivate

Doesn't everyone wish to live in a good environment, to feel good, and to be blessed with luck every day? I believe that luck, like any other skill, improves gradually with daily practice. Over time, it becomes a part of your character—your very nature. Don't you think having a "lucky constitution" would be incredibly empowering?

I decided to open "KICHIYA" to share the many methods for cultivating good fortune that I have come to know.

The Meaning of "KICHIYA"

The name "KICHIYA" is inspired by the omikuji (paper fortunes) found at shrines in Japan. "Kichi" (吉) means "Good Fortune." While this is wonderful, there is a higher level called "Daikichi" (大吉), or "Great Good Fortune." The existence of a higher level means that "Kichi (吉)" holds the potential for growth. Because of this potential, it is sometimes considered as valuable as, or even more so than, "Daikichi (大吉)."

Here at KICHIYA, I wish to introduce you to the world of good fortune while I alongside you, continue to aim for an even luckier nature. In our store, you will find fortune-boosting goods perfected by master artisans. Additionally, I will be personally designing omamori—talisman jewelry using birthstones and power stones—with my whole heart.

It would be my greatest joy to help you cultivate a "lucky constitution" through the enjoyable activities here at KICHIYA. Let's begin this journey of cultivating good fortune together.