About us

About MENTOSEN

MENTOSEN by SHINKO STUDIO

Design, Digital & Craftsmanship Jewelry-Crafting about the relationship between people and digital

-Introduction-

Welcome to the Mentosen collection, where tradition meets modern innovation.

Crafted by Shinko Studio in Tokyo, Japan, our collection symbolizes the effortless blend of ‘surface  and lines’ , the meaning of ‘mentosen’ in japanese.

 The challenges of the pandemic inspired us to rethink what our craft should embody living in a world of many complexities and ongoing changes lacking simplicity.

Mentosen collection embodies exactly that, focusing on the essential shapes and lines crafted by modern digital technology with the fundamentals of Japanese craftsmanship mentosen fits seamlessly into your life offering comfort and timeless style.

"At Mentošen Collection, we believe in creating products that feel comfortable and familiar, both in your hands and in your surroundings. We achieve this by focusing on clean lines and essential surfaces. In today's busy world, it's easy to get overwhelmed by clutter and complication.

That's why we focus on what truly matters – the core design elements that create a piece and the functionality it serves.

We can appreciate the beauty of simplicity and find what makes something truly special.
 

SHINKO STUDIO CEO/ MEMTOSEN PRODUCER Akiko Yonei

Mentosen Collection: Design at the Intersection

Design Born from Technology and Handswork

Welcome to Mentosen Collection, where tradition meets modern innovation.

Crafted by Shinko Studio in Tokyo, Japan, our name, "mentosen," reflects this philosophy.

In Japanese, it signifies the harmonious balance of "surface and lines," the very foundation of our design approach.

Use Digital to Express Subtle Human Senses

The challenges of the pandemic inspired us to rethink the essence of our craft in a world brimming with complexities.

We believe that simplicity and human connection are more important than ever.

That's why we leverage modern digital technology to capture the subtle details and emotions that elevate design.

Creating by Hands

 But technology is just one part of the story. The heart of Mentosen Collection lies in the skilled hands of our artisans. Their meticulous craftsmanship infuses each piece with a timeless quality and a touch of human soul.

Their meticulous craftsmanship infuses each piece with a timeless quality and a touch of human soul.

Mentosen for You

We know your time is valuable.

We know your time is valuable. Mentosen Collection seamlessly integrates into your life, offering comfort and timeless style through its essential shapes and lines. Explore our website's clear headings for a deeper dive into the Mentosen Collection difference.

Creators introduction - meet the creators behind mentosen

Each one has a job as an independent professional, while they are involved in the progect of MENTOSEN of creating.

CEO, Producer, Designer- Akiko Yonei

Product Designer - Maho Takada

Craftsman) - Takeshi Uchida

Jewelry Artists - Kazuko Nishibayashi

Craftsman - Ayumi Maruyama

CAD Model Advisor - Kenichiro Taniguchi

More

-The path to MENTOSEN-

MENTOSEN is a jewelry collection started in December 2021 by "SHINKO STUDIO" in Tokyo.

We have created original collections and designed custom-made jewelry for nearly 20 years. 

The new collection MENTOSEN was born by creating many designs and listening directly to the voices of clients at the store. 

SHINKO STUDIO Web site

Activities of the Jewelry Artists of Japan (JAJ)

Jewelry Artists of Japan (JAJ) is a community for jewelry crators and etc. That was started in 2012 by Akiko Yonei,  SHINKO STUDIO CEO. It is a community where people who are involved in jewelry making such as jewelry artists, craftspeople, designers, producers, sellers and other stakeholders come together to support young jewelry artists.

As we encourage new talents, we want to initiate a new experiment to make jewelries more approachable for producers, manufacturers, sellers and eventually, wearers.   JAJ Web Site

MENTOSEN was born as a result of meeting artists and creators who gathered at JAJ and building relationships.

Creators session night

Creators session night is a event which artists, craftspersons, and other crators interact with people who wear jewelry. Contemporary jewelery artists, Engraver, etc. took the stage.  Creators Session Night

We met the artists and creators who gathered in JAJ's activities. Also, we have built a relationship between "those who make" and "those who wear" at the Creators Session Night. And finally, MENTOSEN was born.

Why designers use digital technology?

For a long time, the jewelery work was the work of a skilled craftsman.
Of course, we still also believe that.

However, in recent years, the prices of 3D modeling systems such as CAD and 3D printers have dropped dramatically, and the technology has been released to individuals who do not have large capital.

This made it possible to shift the expression of fine "Surfaces" and "lines" from craftsmen to designers.

And we started using digital.

To use digital freely by designers will make it possible to better reflect the question "what are people thinking now? " in the fild of jewelry.

In order that Jewelry become a thing that asks the meaning of people's lives from the material value, we will continue to use digital in harmony with handicrafts.

"Manufacturing" will change society

We believe that the making things has the power to move people's hearts.

In addition,  it must have the power to change society.

We think it would be wonderful if those who make and those who wear could move the world a little through the ultimate unnecessary thing called "jewelry".