Nasu Isao: Soaring Sun Dragon

Soaring Sun Dragon

Delivery: 3-4 weeks

Refund Policy: https://japantastics.jp/policies/refund-policy

Materials: Raw Onyx, Maki-e Lacquer, Diamond, 18K Gold, Kumihimo Cord
Pendant: 4.5 × 4 cm
Necklace Length: 42 cm

Soaring Sun Dragon is a meditation on the path of inner strength and transcendence. The accompanying poem portrays the dragon as a noble being who smiles upon the unknown, bears its wounds in silence, and safeguards the light dwelling within its soul. Tempered through countless trials and moments of both joy and sorrow, it ultimately responds to a compassionate, outstretched hand that guides it toward a higher realm.

The work is centered on a naturally formed piece of raw onyx, whose dramatic black-and-white banding evokes the primordial forces of the earth. Upon its surface, an exquisitely rendered dragon emerges through the refined artistry of maki-e, transforming the stone into a symbolic landscape where mythology and nature converge. Framed in 18-karat gold, the composition is crowned by a single diamond that suggests both a celestial light and the unwavering spirit that illuminates the dragon's ascent.

Rather than depicting the dragon as a fearsome guardian, Nasu presents it as a timeless symbol of perseverance, wisdom, and spiritual evolution. In Japanese tradition, the dragon is revered as a benevolent force associated with water, the heavens, and divine protection. Here, it becomes an embodiment of the human spirit—shaped by hardship, strengthened through endurance, and continually striving toward the light.

Suspended from a handwoven kumihimo cord, Soaring Sun Dragon transcends conventional adornment. Conceived as a wearable work of art, it invites the wearer to reflect upon the quiet courage required to protect one's inner light and the enduring hope that guides every journey toward a higher state of being.

Artist’s Profile

Isao Nasu is a Japanese artist whose wearable works draw upon gemstones, mythology, and the Japanese spiritual tradition to explore themes of prayer, memory, and inner transformation. Born in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, Nasu was captivated by the luminous beauty of crystals from an early age, an encounter that sparked a lifelong fascination with the world of gemstones.

While still a student, a chance meeting with the owner of an opal mine inspired him to pursue a career in gemology. His quest to discover the world's treasures took him to more than forty countries. To finance his studies at a gemological institute in New York, he established a trading company in Morocco, an experience that further broadened his perspective on culture, craftsmanship, and the global exchange of precious materials.

After returning to Japan, Nasu worked for jewelry manufacturers and wholesalers before establishing his own studio at the age of twenty-six. Alongside his practice as a jeweler, he has devoted himself to researching the origins of personal adornment across cultures, promoting Japanese culture, and producing environmental radio programs and magazines.

In 2009, Nasu made his debut as an exhibiting artist at the Hankyu Umeda Main Store Art Gallery, presenting works that express the Japanese sense of beauty through mythological themes. His work has since been exhibited both in Japan and internationally, including selection for the PHILLIPS Design Week Preview in New York in 2014.