Japanese-born Yuko Kung grew up in a town near Osaka and, like most Japanese children, learned the art of origami — folding paper to make intricate three-dimensional figures. Yuko liked making things with her hands, but it was much later, and far from home, that she used these long-held skills.
At 25, Yuko embarked on her OE, heading to Australia. She eventually moved to New Zealand with her future husband in 2016, settling in the Bay of Plenty as they had family here. After honing her English skills at Toi Ohomai, Yuko wondered what to do with her days. The idea of origami jewellery arose and inspired her to launch Allure Japanese Jewellery. “If I’d stayed in Japan, where it’s normal to settle into a job and just stay there, I would never have started my business. I’d be busy working and commuting.”
Yuko’s origami skills are fast and accurate. The size and detail of her work is extraordinary — the cranes about as big as a thumbnail. The choice of paper is important: “I import washi — a traditional handmade Japanese paper made from a special plant — from a Kyoto factory.”
Allure’s Instagram has the tagline: ‘Handcrafted lifetime jewellery’. To achieve this, the tiny paper creations are coated in resin, preserving the figure and giving it a glassy feel. Lacking formal training in jewellery, Yuko watched hours of YouTube videos to learn how to combine origami components with metal to create her unique pieces. She also uses gemstones in her work — crystals such as aquamarine, rose quartz and moonstone. “I like their colours and shapes, and feel they give off a positive energy.”
Discovering The Little Big Markets has been a revelation for Yuko. “The market experience is new for me, they are not so popular in Japan. I love connecting with people and it’s a great place to do business.” Yuko expanded her product range recently, introducing hand-crocheted bags made of recycled cotton, and is planning further collaborations with other craftspeople.
Though her pre-school son Leo is already learning origami, there are no immediate plans for him to join the business.
