Discovering Gems and a Spiritual Bond with Buddhism

Before discovering gems, my path was marked by twists and turns. Only six months after enrolling at Doshisha University, I was deeply moved by an encounter with a monk from Daitoku-ji Temple. The next day, I submitted my withdrawal and moved to the temple.

Two and a half years later, I enrolled at Waseda University but had to fund my own tuition, so I started a tutoring business. However, without a genuine passion for education and driven largely by the need to survive, I soon reached a dead end, and at 26, I once again sought refuge in Buddhism. It was a profound encounter with an extraordinary Buddhist practitioner that marked the turning point. Under his guidance, I delved deeply into the study of Buddhism and eventually became a monk. One day, my master gave me a task: “There is one word that every great Buddhist teacher throughout history has spoken. Think it over and tell me by tomorrow.”

That night, tormented by the question during zazen meditation, a vision came to me: I imagined killing my master and fleeing—the very man who had embraced me wholly and was guiding my training. Confronted with the depth of my inner darkness, I cried out in despair, “How terrifying!”

The following day, I asked, “Is the word that all the great teachers spoke ‘terrifying’?” My master replied, “Yes. Everyone wishes to see themselves as good. But throughout history, without a single exception, all the great masters have despaired at the profound darkness within their own hearts. It is from that realization that the journey of true faith begins.”

After two years of rigorous training, I came to the conclusion that with my personality and abilities, the way of the monk would be impossible, and so I chose to return to the secular world once again. As I pondered my next steps, the idea of the jewelry business my mother had founded and my sister had inherited came to mind. I believe the awe I felt as a child when gazing at the beautiful gems my mother owned has remained with me. I thought to myself, “Perhaps I’ll try this—there doesn’t seem to be much else for me to do.” Back then, I had no confidence in my character and thought, “Even if I score 15 points for my personality, as long as I take 45 points of responsibility for the jewelry, I might still manage a passing grade of 60.”

The Essence of Beauty and the Power of Inspiration

Guided by my love for Buddhist art, I began collecting statues at a young age, and initially, I believed that sculpture held a higher status than jewelry. In particular, my encounters with Buddhist statues in Kyoto and Nara were decisive in shaping my vision. The impact of seeing the standing figure of the Bodhisattva Maitreya at Kofuku-ji’s Northern Round Hall was beyond words. This sculpture, which embodied the concept of “compassion” with uncompromising realism, conveyed an overwhelming presence I believed unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Yet, one day, I had an astonishing experience at the private residence of a prominent antique dealer in Nara. The instant I opened the case holding the jewelry I had brought, I was struck by a vivid vision: the statues lining the walls seemed to topple over and bow in submission as if to say, “We yield.” At that moment, I felt the beauty of the jewelry surpassed the power of the sculpture. Beauty transcends categories. I understood that art’s true essence resides in the aesthetic life force and beauty intrinsic to each creation. I faced a fundamental question through these encounters: ‘What is a gemstone?’

I had the honor of meeting His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, the supreme authority of Tibetan Buddhism, and when I posed the question, he responded:

“The Buddha manifests in several forms. One is as Dharma (the law or truth). Another of these forms is the Buddha who descended from the realm of truth into this world to save all sentient beings. Many of these Buddhas are adorned with jewelry, such as crowns or necklaces, as a symbol that they have come from the realm of truth to save you. The beauty of that truth, the beauty of paradise, is embodied by the jewelry they wear.”

His words deepened my understanding of jewelry, reaffirming its sacredness and spiritual essence. The fact that the spiritual realms described in Buddhist scriptures are exalted through the beauty of gemstones and jewelry speaks to the intrinsic value of jewelry.

Beauty possesses the power to move the human spirit. Among the gems that left a deep impression on me was the Golconda Diamond from India, mined roughly 300 years ago. Its transparency and purity astonished me, making me question whether anything so pure could exist in the material realm. When I beheld the Dresden Green diamond in Germany, I felt that its beauty was something beyond human creation, an unparalleled splendor. I have also witnessed a man weep uncontrollably upon seeing Napoleon’s cameo, now housed in the National Museum of Qatar, and three individuals faint with emotion in front of a tiara exhibit.
Jewelry is far more than a mere luxury for women—it holds the power to stir overwhelming emotions. Emotion is both the source and the outcome of art. When touched by beauty, the human soul is stirred and undergoes a profound transformation. And at the heart of that transformation, there likely lies the truth. The experience of being moved by beauty may offer a glimpse into the truth.

Ambition Shapes Reality

One thing I have realized through my work is that ambition has the power to shape reality. My encounter with Lord Camoys, who later served as Lord Chamberlain of the British Royal Household, is a prime example.

At the time, Lord Camoys was serving as vice chairman of both Barclays Bank and Sotheby’s. I shared my vision with him—to create a museum that would showcase a collection of jewelry brimming with sacred, ultimate beauty and leave it as a legacy for humanity. Without inquiring about my background or achievements, he embraced my vision and extended his hand to support me. He immediately introduced me to three key individuals.

Lord Camoys’ sister arranged a rare opportunity for me to personally handle the art collections at both the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum. Diana Scarisbrick, the world’s leading jewelry scholar, served as our official academic advisor for over 30 years, providing invaluable support. When I boldly declared, “I will become the best in the world in this field,” the world’s top jewelry dealer convened a family meeting and resolved to help me achieve that goal. Now, more than 30 years later, they acknowledge, ‘Kazumi has become the best. We can no longer handle works of this caliber.’ This experience taught me that it’s not ability or personality that matters but having a meaningful ambition. When you do, the conditions necessary for its achievement will naturally come together.

The Mindset for Overcoming Life’s Challenges

Over 90% of my life has been marked by continuous challenges. For more than 40 years, I have often felt on the verge of being crushed by the relentless pressure of payments. To share the beauty of jewelry with the world, I have often challenged myself beyond my limits, striving to create something that could rival the emotional impact of the Louvre. Thanks to the trust I’ve built with dealers and collectors worldwide, I can arrange extended post-payment terms to purchase most of the essential jewelry pieces I desire. Thus, payments have always loomed like an unyielding wall, and the pressure of these obligations has constantly overshadowed my life.

Yet I believe that facing difficulties keeps me grounded, allowing me to grow and refine myself as a human being. Suffering humbles me, pushing me to live modestly, while too much success can breed arrogance. I am, by nature, someone prone to such tendencies. The only way to overcome challenges is through direct confrontation. If your ambitions are authentic, all the necessary elements will come together. When challenges arise, hesitation naturally follows. A weakened spirit often surfaces, and I sometimes feel on the verge of collapse. As I repeatedly hit walls and recover, there comes a time when a bright horizon opens up, and I find myself standing on an unanticipated summit.

The Reappraisal of Jewelry for the Future

In recent years, a global movement has emerged to reappraise jewelry as an art form. Today, Earth’s waters are polluted, its air tainted, and its greenery vanishing at an alarming rate, threatening to strip the planet of its natural beauty. Should beauty vanish from the Earth, humanity will face extinction. Beauty is no longer merely an added value—it has become vital to humanity’s survival. Gemstones and jewelry represent the Earth’s natural beauty, shaped by human devotion and artistry. I believe they are once again poised to play a crucial role in sustaining the human spirit and life.

In the future, the human-centered perspective that everything exists for mankind will likely give way to an Earth-centric view, focusing on how humanity can adapt and thrive within a healthy ecosystem that supports all life forms. My ideal is the creation of sacred beauty and awe through jewelry. I aim to create a collection that will evoke profound emotion even 1,000 years from now, offering people the chance to experience it at the highest possible level. Perhaps my humble worth lies in my ability to sustain this ambition.

Bringing together humanity’s finest jewels in a collective effort is akin to creating a ‘Louvre of Jewelry.’ The true value of the Louvre lies not in its structure or its scholars but in the masterpieces it houses and the profound emotions they stir in those who encounter them—that is its essence. To gather is to become the Louvre. When people visit this museum, spend time with its gathered jewels, and depart, they will feel their hearts cleansed and their souls purified. I pray that this museum will eternally move the hearts of people across the globe, purify humanity’s spirit, and continue to cleanse the Earth.

September 2024, Albion Art Headquarters, Ari-an.
Interview and editing by: DK Sugiyama
Project Manager: Chiho Ando
Translation: Alex Queen
Photography: Erina Hamaya