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Introduction to Mikimoto Pearl IslandStart here for many pages about Mikimoto Pearl Island at Toba, Japan, home of the world's first cultured pearl.
In 1893, after many failed attempts, Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in culturing a pearl. Which simply means that man started the process, but beast (oyster) finished it. Today Mikimoto Pearl Island is a tasteful and extremely informative memorial to the man who dedicated his life to finding a way to mass produce quality pearls. The Memorial Hall details the life of this incredible man and displays numerous artifacts. The museum consists of a world-wide historical jewelry section, Mikimoto jewelry section and cultured pearl development, processing section. Also on the island are a Mikimoto jewelry store, Pearl Island jewelry for sale, and Mikimoto International items, which includes a full line of cosmetics. Restaurants are also available. Ama divers give regular demonstrations of former days when they dived for oysters.
Many thanks to the kind and helpful staff at this amazing island for permission to take photos and gather information about his important person. Every photo on my Pearl Island website pages was taken with permission from the staff at the island, museum, memorial center and stores. Up until 1970 a ferry took visitors across the few hundred meters from Toba to the island. Today a covered memorial bridge leads one there with ease. I invite you to enjoy the following pages (more to be added soon) dedicated to this island. I'll tell you how to get there, what's to see and show you photographs you won't want to miss. For those of you who don't have the opportunity to go there, this is for you. And for those who plan on visiting...this will give you a foretaste.
Ama Divers of Pearl Island Pearl Island Memorial Hall Tansu Traditional Japanese Cabinetry Mikimoto Animation at Pearl Island Mikimoto's wife Ume Letter from Thomas Edison to Mikimoto Mikimoto's "Boss's String of Pearls" necklace Mikimoto's Co-workers Kokichi Mikimoto--Pearl King Pearl Island Museum Cultured Pearls Museum Mikimoto Pearl Jewelry Shop on Pearl Island
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