Moonlight Through the Windswept Clouds of Autumn
akikaze ni tanabiku kumo no taema yori moreizuru tsuki no kage no sayakesa
breaking through
an opening in the clouds
that trail on the autumn wind—
how clear and pure
the moonlight
Sakyō no Daibu Akisuke
Translation of Hyakunin Isshu by
Emiko Miyashita and Michael Dylan Welch
<Modern Interpretation>
Blown by the autumn wind, the drifting clouds part just enough to let the moonlight spill through—so clear and pure, it takes one’s breath away.
Sakyō no Daibu Akisuke (1090–1155)
A nobleman and poet of the late Heian period, better known by his formal name Fujiwara no Akisuke. He was a prolific writer of waka and played a key role in compiling several imperial anthologies. Among his many works, the poem featured in the Hyakunin Isshu is especially beloved for its graceful imagery.
This particular waka captures a fleeting moment of serene beauty: the moonlight shining through a break in the wind-blown clouds on an autumn night.
The ring 「澄雲 - SUMIKUMO -」 (“Clear Clouds”) draws its inspiration from this poem, representing the “wind” of Kachō Fūgetsu and the season of autumn. Its design reflects the graceful movement of drifting clouds across the night sky and the gentle brilliance of moonlight peeking through—a quiet, luminous harmony between wind, cloud, and light.
About the Design of 「澄雲 - SUMIKUMO -」
The outer band of the ring depicts the moon peeking through drifting clouds, carried by the autumn wind. Surrounding the moon, the clouds are carefully sculpted to reflect its soft glow—capturing the moment when moonlight spills through the breaks, as described in the waka. Layered with delicate, three-dimensional engraving, the overlapping clouds give a sense of depth, as if gazing up into a vast autumn night sky.
On the inner band, slender willow leaves sway gently in the breeze. Their graceful, flowing motion evokes the cool, quiet winds of an autumn evening.
「澄雲 - SUMIKUMO -」embodies that breathtaking moment when one looks up and is captivated by the beauty of the sky. The drifting clouds and moon on the outside harmonize with the inner image of rustling willow leaves, together evoking the serene clarity and subtle emotion of an autumn night.
Craftsmanship and Highlights of 「澄雲 - SUMIKUMO -」
The creation of 「澄雲 - SUMIKUMO -」 showcases advanced techniques and an uncompromising dedication to detail—particularly in the depiction of clouds and moonlight. For the clouds,Takaniku Zōgan (Raised Inlay) was executed using platinum. Over this, intricate carvings were layered to recreate the soft, flowing motion of clouds drifting on the wind. Varying depths and overlapping forms enhance the sense of dimension, evoking the sweeping clouds of a night sky.
The moon is formed using Shishiaibori (relief engraving (intaglio)), a traditional technique of sculptural relief carving. After inlaying yellow gold, the moon’s surface was carefully engraved to portray subtle textures and shading—reminiscent of the gentle radiance and quiet presence of a full autumn moon.
On the inner band, laser engraving was used to carve willow leaves swaying in the breeze. These were then finished with pure gold leaf, capturing the way willow leaves shimmer as they catch the moonlight.
Details of「澄雲 - SUMIKUMO -」
Primary Material: Tantalum (Ta)
Decoration: Yellow Gold (YG), Platinum (Pt), Pure Gold Leaf, 24K Gold Plating
Techniques: Takaniku Zōgan (Raised Inlay), Shishiaibori (relief engraving (intaglio)), 24K Plating, Gold Leaf Application, Laser Engraving, NC Engraving
Size: JP Size 22 / Width: 10 mm / Thickness: 2.0 mm
Price: ¥1,010,900 (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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