A Sign of Summer Echoing Through the Stillness
hototogisu nakitsuru kata wo nagamureba
tada ariake no tsuki zo nokoreru
the long-awaited cuckoo’s cry—
as I turn to see
where it sang,
all I find is
the pale morning moon
Gotoku Daiji no Sadaijin
Translation of Hyakunin Isshu by
Emiko Miyashita and Michael Dylan Welch
<Modern Interpretation>
As I gazed in the direction of the cuckoo’s call, its figure had already vanished—
only the pale moonlight of dawn remained in the sky.
Gotoku Daiji no Sadaijin (1139–1192)
A court noble and poet of the late Heian period, also known by his given name, Fujiwara no Sanesada. He is celebrated for his graceful and contemplative waka, often depicting the quiet beauty of nature with delicate sensitivity. His poem featured in the Hyakunin Isshu is among his most famous.
This particular waka conveys a moment of wistful wonder: the anticipated cry of the cuckoo—a harbinger of summer—has finally been heard, yet its form is already gone. Only the lingering presence of the dawn moon remains, suspended in silence.
The ring 「忍音 - SHINOBINE -」(“Subtle Echo”) draws inspiration from this verse, representing the “bird” of Kachō Fūgetsu and the season of summer. By concealing the figure of the cuckoo within the design, the piece evokes the quiet yearning of someone seeking the unseen messenger of the season—an emotion suspended between presence and absence, sound and silence.
About the Design of「忍音 - SHINOBINE -」
The outer band of the ring features lush summer foliage, etched to depict trees in full bloom, bathed gently in moonlight. Hidden discreetly among the leaves is the figure of the hototogisu (Japanese cuckoo), subtly woven into the design to evoke the lingering echo of its song—an echo that lives on even after the bird has vanished.
On the inner band, the soft glow of the ariake no tsuki—the lingering dawn moon—is expressed through the use of gold leaf. This interplay between the outer and inner surfaces reflects the temporal shift captured in the poem: the moment when one hears the cuckoo’s song, looks up, and sees that only the moon remains.
Since ancient times, the hototogisu has been known as a herald of early summer. In the Heian period, nobles cherished the first cry of the bird (hatsune) as a seasonal event of great emotional significance. 「忍音 - SHINOBINE -」captures the quiet elation of hearing the bird at dawn—only to realize it has already flown, leaving behind the lingering presence of the moon. This ring invites the wearer to savor the act of seeking the unseen hototogisu, and to embrace the ephemeral beauty found in absence.
Craftsmanship and Highlights of 「忍音 - SHINOBINE -」
One of the greatest challenges in creating 「忍音 - SHINOBINE -」was how to express the presence of the hototogisu—the unseen cuckoo described in the poem. After much trial and error, the decision was made to quietly hide the bird among the dense summer leaves. Initially, the bird was depicted more prominently, but with each discussion between the designer and the creator, its size was reduced—until it became so small and subtle that one must look closely to even notice it. We invite you to hold the piece in your hands and search for the elusive hototogisu yourself.
To bring this miniature world to life, dozens of custom chisels were handcrafted to carve the trees, leaves, and bird with dimensional depth. The dawn moon (ariake no tsuki) was engraved with a laser, then delicately finished with pure gold leaf. The soft luster unique to gold leaf enhances the poetic atmosphere of the piece, evoking the lingering echo and quiet stillness captured in the waka.
Details of 「忍音 - SHINOBINE -」
Primary Material: Tantalum (Ta)
Decoration: Yellow Gold (YG), Pure Gold Leaf
Techniques: Usunikubori (Shallow-Relief Engraving), Hira Zōgan (Flat Inlay), Gold Leaf Application,NC Engraving, Laser Engraving
Size: JP Size 22 / Width: 10 mm
Price: ¥898,700 (tax included)
※This is a one-of-a-kind piece.
Please note that size adjustments or custom modifications are not available.
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