WAMPUM ART & JEWELRY
Wampum is the oldest talisman, wedding proposal gift, trade item, jewelry, and formal political protocol between tribes of the North Eastern Native Americans. Wampum was also the oldest government-issued money of the United States for paying college tuitions, buying lands, and even paying state tax. Yamada consider wampum as the greatest, otherwise one of the truly greatest rogue taxidermy art forms in the world. Today, Yamada is one of just a handful artists in the world still engaged in this magnificent and truly America’s original and proud first-class timeless jewelry with 4,000 years of history. (2002 - 2005. 2015) (Reference: Wampum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wampum)
Wampum is the oldest talisman, wedding proposal gift, trade item, jewelry, and formal political protocol between tribes of the North Eastern Native Americans. Wampum was also the oldest government-issued money of the United States for paying college tuitions, buying lands, and even paying state tax. Yamada consider wampum as the greatest, otherwise one of the truly greatest rogue taxidermy art forms in the world. Today, Yamada is one of just a handful artists in the world still engaged in this magnificent and truly America’s original and proud first-class timeless jewelry with 4,000 years of history. (2002 - 2005. 2015) (Reference: Wampum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wampum)
Wampum is the most precious divine purple gold
of the Native Americans
at the shores here
for the last 4,000 years.
Cherish it.
-Takeshi Yamada
CONTENTS
WAMPUM JEWELRY (NECKLACE, PENDANT, EARRING, HEALING STONE)
WAMPUM ART (PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS, FASHION ACCESSORIES, FUNCTIONAL ART)
WAMPUM ART EXHIBITIONS
ART EXHIBITION POSTER WITH WAMPUM
ARTICLES (ARTIST'S STSTEMENT, PRAYER)
REFERENCE
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WAMPUM JEWELRY
These high quality large and small wampums were all individually hand crafted by Dr. Takeshi Yamada. These were all made from the locally harvested (New York and New Jersey) and selected Northern Quahog (Marcenaria marcenaria). Most of Marcenaria have white shells only. Even in the small areas of the North America, where unique Mercenaria with deep purple colorations are found, only about one in 20 to 30 large Marcenaria can be used for producing these high quality magnificent jewelry pieces.
WAMPUM JEWELRY (NECKLACE, PENDANT, EARRING, HEALING STONE)
WAMPUM ART (PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS, FASHION ACCESSORIES, FUNCTIONAL ART)
WAMPUM ART EXHIBITIONS
ART EXHIBITION POSTER WITH WAMPUM
ARTICLES (ARTIST'S STSTEMENT, PRAYER)
REFERENCE
============================================
WAMPUM JEWELRY
These high quality large and small wampums were all individually hand crafted by Dr. Takeshi Yamada. These were all made from the locally harvested (New York and New Jersey) and selected Northern Quahog (Marcenaria marcenaria). Most of Marcenaria have white shells only. Even in the small areas of the North America, where unique Mercenaria with deep purple colorations are found, only about one in 20 to 30 large Marcenaria can be used for producing these high quality magnificent jewelry pieces.
Takeshi Yamada at work on his wampum jewelries on the table on the porch. It is an extremely dusty job. Photograph by Lauren Travis on February 3, 2005. Wampum is the oldest talisman, Wedding proposal gift & formal political protocol of the Native Americans, and oldest government-issued money of the United States of America for paying tax, paying school tuition, and even buying lands. clam shell art. clam art, jewelry,
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WAMPUM ART
In addition to creating a variety of wampum jewelry artworks (wearable art), Yamada also single-handedly originated a series of unique paintings and drawings inspired by the patterns of his hand-crafted wampums, by using his "Divine Visions" ("God's Eye"). These truly original wampum artworks reflect his Japanese heritage and his passion for Japanese mythology and legends. Specifically, Yamada reinterpreted and simulated the portrait of the Otohime of Ryūgū (竜宮の乙姫. Mermaid Princess / Sea Goddess of the Sea Dragon God's Palace) and her underwater kingdom as described in the famous Japanese legendry Tale of Urashima Tarō (浦島 太郎). The landscape paintings of the Dragon God's Palace (竜宮城) at the bottom of the sea were also created by him as shown below. These wampums and artworks by Yamada added completely new pages to the art and culture of wampum with 4,000 year history.
Reference 1: Urashima Tarō http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urashima_Tar%C5%8D
Reference 2: Toyotama-hime (aka Otohime) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyotama-hime
Reference 3: Yamada's artworks about the Dragon God http://takeshiyamada.weebly.com/scrimshaw.html
WAMPUM ART
In addition to creating a variety of wampum jewelry artworks (wearable art), Yamada also single-handedly originated a series of unique paintings and drawings inspired by the patterns of his hand-crafted wampums, by using his "Divine Visions" ("God's Eye"). These truly original wampum artworks reflect his Japanese heritage and his passion for Japanese mythology and legends. Specifically, Yamada reinterpreted and simulated the portrait of the Otohime of Ryūgū (竜宮の乙姫. Mermaid Princess / Sea Goddess of the Sea Dragon God's Palace) and her underwater kingdom as described in the famous Japanese legendry Tale of Urashima Tarō (浦島 太郎). The landscape paintings of the Dragon God's Palace (竜宮城) at the bottom of the sea were also created by him as shown below. These wampums and artworks by Yamada added completely new pages to the art and culture of wampum with 4,000 year history.
Reference 1: Urashima Tarō http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urashima_Tar%C5%8D
Reference 2: Toyotama-hime (aka Otohime) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyotama-hime
Reference 3: Yamada's artworks about the Dragon God http://takeshiyamada.weebly.com/scrimshaw.html
Wampum Art: Sea Goddess Otohime (2002 - 2003), Paintings & Drawings
Wampum Art: Eye of Sea Goddess Otohime. Eye of Mermaid Queen (2002 - 2003), Drawings & Paintings
Wampum Art: Ryuuguu (Dragon God's Palace, Dragon God's Kingdom Under The Sea) (2002 - 2005)
Wampum Art: Dragon God's Palace: Painting on Canvas
Wampum Art: Dragon God's Palace: Paintings on Wooden Plates
Wampum Art: Dragon God's Palace: Drawings on Papers, Group #1
Wampum Art: Dragon God's Palace: Drawings on Papers, Group #2
Wampum Art: Dragon God's Palace: Drawings on Papers, Group #3
Wampum Art: Dragon God's Palace: Drawings on Papers, Group #4
Wampum Art: Life of the Sea Goddess Otohime (2005) For Painting
Wampum Art: Life of the Sea Goddess Otohime, Drawings on Papers (2005) For Movie
Wampum Art: Life of the Sea Goddess Otohime, Drawings on Papers (2015) For Movie
Wampum Art: Wampum Jewelry Letter Opener (2004)
Wampum Art: Telson Dipping Pen with Wampum Beads (2002 - 2003)
Wampum Art: Fashion Accessories of Sea Goddess Otohime (2002)
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WAMPUM ART EXHIBITIONS
For his effort for revitalizing the nearly lost art of wampum among people today, Yamada also exhibited his individually hand-crafted wampum jewelry artworks at numerous gift shops, art fairs, Brooklyn public library, and fine art galleries in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York.
WAMPUM ART EXHIBITIONS
For his effort for revitalizing the nearly lost art of wampum among people today, Yamada also exhibited his individually hand-crafted wampum jewelry artworks at numerous gift shops, art fairs, Brooklyn public library, and fine art galleries in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York.
"Town & Country" Show
Yamada displayed his two paintings on canvase (each is 24x32 inch) "Dragon King's Palace Under the Sea" and "Great Chicago Fire" at the group fine art exhibition "Town and Country" at the Coney Island Hospital Art Gallery in Brooklyn, New York during March 6, 2018 and January 15, 2019. The opening reception was held on April 16 (Mon). |
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"The Wreath: Interpretations" Show
The 33rd anniversary juried fine art group exhibition. Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, Manhattan, NY. December 3 - January 7, 2016 (opening reception: December 3, 2015. 6-8PM)
Parks & Recreation celebrates the holiday season with its 33rd annual exhibition of about 30 nontraditional wreaths. Fine artists, craftspeople, horticulturalists, graphic designers, landscape architects, engineers, preservationists, environmentalists, and other creative spirits put a new spin on this timeless circular form, using materials as varied as glass, ceramic, flowers, fir, forged iron, natural fibers, compost, circuit boards, bicycle wheels and papier-máché. This witty and diverse collection of wreaths is composed of often very personal conceptions that comment on larger public concerns.
New York 1 television news featured this art exhibition on December 10, 2015. Yamada's Wampum Sea Goddess Wreath was seen 1:19 to 1:28 in this coverage (total 1:39). "Exhibit Shows Off Wreaths Made Up of Unusual Materials" by Roger Clark
http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/12/10/exhibit-shows-off-wreaths-made-up-of-unusual-materials.html
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The 33rd anniversary juried fine art group exhibition. Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, Manhattan, NY. December 3 - January 7, 2016 (opening reception: December 3, 2015. 6-8PM)
Parks & Recreation celebrates the holiday season with its 33rd annual exhibition of about 30 nontraditional wreaths. Fine artists, craftspeople, horticulturalists, graphic designers, landscape architects, engineers, preservationists, environmentalists, and other creative spirits put a new spin on this timeless circular form, using materials as varied as glass, ceramic, flowers, fir, forged iron, natural fibers, compost, circuit boards, bicycle wheels and papier-máché. This witty and diverse collection of wreaths is composed of often very personal conceptions that comment on larger public concerns.
New York 1 television news featured this art exhibition on December 10, 2015. Yamada's Wampum Sea Goddess Wreath was seen 1:19 to 1:28 in this coverage (total 1:39). "Exhibit Shows Off Wreaths Made Up of Unusual Materials" by Roger Clark
http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/12/10/exhibit-shows-off-wreaths-made-up-of-unusual-materials.html
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December 10, 2015
Yamada's Wreath on NY1 television news
New York 1 television news featured this art exhibition on December 10, 2015. Yamada's Wampum Sea Goddess Wreath was seen 1:19 to 1:28 in this coverage (total 1:39).
"Exhibit Shows Off Wreaths Made Up of Unusual Materials" by Roger Clark
http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/12/10/exhibit-shows-off-wreaths-made-up-of-unusual-materials.html
Yamada's Wreath on NY1 television news
New York 1 television news featured this art exhibition on December 10, 2015. Yamada's Wampum Sea Goddess Wreath was seen 1:19 to 1:28 in this coverage (total 1:39).
"Exhibit Shows Off Wreaths Made Up of Unusual Materials" by Roger Clark
http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/12/10/exhibit-shows-off-wreaths-made-up-of-unusual-materials.html
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Coney Island Art Festival @ Keyspan Park in NYC, 2008
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The Wreath: Interpretations.
25th Anniversary Exhibition.
Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, Manhattan, NYC. December 3 - 28, 2007. Parks & Recreation celebrates the holiday season with its 25th annual exhibition of 30 nontraditional wreaths. Fine artists, craftspeople, horticulturalists, graphic designers, landscape architects, engineers, preservationists, environmentalists, and other creative spirits put a new spin on this timeless circular form, using materials as varied as glass, ceramic, flowers, fir, forged iron, natural fibers, compost, circuit boards, bicycle wheels and papier-máché. This witty and diverse collection of wreaths is composed of often very personal conceptions that comment on larger public concerns.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/art-and-antiquities/arsenal-gallery/2007
25th Anniversary Exhibition.
Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, Manhattan, NYC. December 3 - 28, 2007. Parks & Recreation celebrates the holiday season with its 25th annual exhibition of 30 nontraditional wreaths. Fine artists, craftspeople, horticulturalists, graphic designers, landscape architects, engineers, preservationists, environmentalists, and other creative spirits put a new spin on this timeless circular form, using materials as varied as glass, ceramic, flowers, fir, forged iron, natural fibers, compost, circuit boards, bicycle wheels and papier-máché. This witty and diverse collection of wreaths is composed of often very personal conceptions that comment on larger public concerns.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/art-and-antiquities/arsenal-gallery/2007
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Artists at Coney Art Exhibition & Keyspan Park, NYC, 2007
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The Wreath: Interpretations.
The 24th anniversary juried fine art exhibition. Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, Manhattan, NY. November 30 - December 29, 2006. Parks celebrates the onset of winter with an exhibition of nontraditional wreaths made by artists and other creative spirits. Wreaths are created from unusual materials, including barbed wire, berries, lace, bicycle tires, seahorses, fluorescent light and forged steel.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/news/press-releases?id=19843
The 24th anniversary juried fine art exhibition. Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, Manhattan, NY. November 30 - December 29, 2006. Parks celebrates the onset of winter with an exhibition of nontraditional wreaths made by artists and other creative spirits. Wreaths are created from unusual materials, including barbed wire, berries, lace, bicycle tires, seahorses, fluorescent light and forged steel.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/news/press-releases?id=19843
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ART EXHIBITION POSTER WITH WAMPUM
Official poster of "Takeshi Yamada's Museum of World Wonders: Cabinet of Curiosities" solo exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library - Coney Island Branch in Brooklyn, New York in 2009. These wampum discs were individually hand-crafted by Takeshi Yamada from locally harvested extremely rare quahog clams.
ART EXHIBITION POSTER WITH WAMPUM
Official poster of "Takeshi Yamada's Museum of World Wonders: Cabinet of Curiosities" solo exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library - Coney Island Branch in Brooklyn, New York in 2009. These wampum discs were individually hand-crafted by Takeshi Yamada from locally harvested extremely rare quahog clams.
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ARTICLES
Article I-I: Artist's Statement: Art of Wampum
Mercenaria mercenaria – quahogs are found in estuaries along the Atlantic Coast, from Canada to Texas. The quahog shell is harder than gems like lapis lazuli and malachite, thus, it takes a high polish to turn into a first class gem. The name “quahog” is from a corruption of the Native American word for the clam, “poquauhock”. However, only the “Northern Quahog”, which is native to New England (the region comprising six states of the NE United States – Main, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Conneticut), has rich deep purple coloration in its shell. The purple color growth ring of the quahog (“Black Eye”; a form of Worry Stone) was used as an amulet, and found at the burial ground of the Native Americans 4,000 years old. And purple is what makes the most-desirable wampum among Native Americans. “Wampum” is a contraction of the Algonquian word “wampumpeage” or “white shell beads strung on a cord.” Wampum was the material object absolutely necessary for the successful functioning of political (diplomacy and diplomatic protocol), social, and religious life among Native Americans. They wore single strands of wampum as ornament. They also wore belts on which purple and white beads were woven into pictorial messages (sophisticated icons). Because purple shell was harder to find, and harder to work, purple wampum was worth twice as much as white. The Ayonwata Wampum Treaty Belt of the Haudonoshaunee (Hiawatha Iroquois Wampum Belt) is the most famous of the wampum belts, joining the Haudonoshaunee (People of the Longhouse) possibly over 1000 years ago. Among Native Americans, the Quahog has been considered as a beautiful and sacred clam as one of the main “passport” to the spirit world.
This clam, which could live 40 years or more, is known to feed Founding Fathers from starvation. In the seafood business today, small quahogs are known as “littlenecks”, larger ones are called “cherrystones” and quahogs over four inches wide are called “chowders.” After contacting North American natives in the early 1600s, European traders and settlers used wampum beads as money. In the 17th Century, wampum was the official currency of the New Amsterdam (now, New York) and other states, and you could even use wampum to pay your taxes to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and pay your tuition at Harvard College then. With this in mind, in 1758, Linneaus himself gave the scientific name in Latin to the quahog meaning “money/wage”. Today, an extract from the quahog called mercenine is discovered as a strong growth inhibitor of cancers in mice, and researchers are investigating its power to be used as the next generation of penicillin.With these unique and distinctive historical and cultural background of quahog in this region of the United States, and with Japanese medieval day’s game called Kaiawase (Clamshell Matching) among high society of Samurai and nobles, I created a series of artworks such as sculptures, jewelry, paintings, prints, drawings, and computer graphics since 2002, when I moved to Coney Island area of Brooklyn, NY, and started harvesting this beautiful marine creature here. It is my hope that my artworks are the vehicles to please the eyes, uplift the spirit, stir the imagination and express conviction. It is my desire to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the importance of the global nature of the world, its people and the bonds that mutually bind them. It is my sincere wish that my creativity and its products contribute to the advancement of the glorious culture based on the sanctity of life and true humanism.
About Wampum: In a broader sense, Wampum is an English word for gems from the shell of the quahog clam (Mercenaria mercenaria), which Native Americans called ‘poquauhock’. The quahog shell is harder than gems like lapis lazuli and malachite. It also takes a high polish; it is truly a first class gem. “Wampum” is a contraction of the Algonquian word “wampumpeage” or “white shell beads strung on a cord.” Wampum was the material object absolutely necessary for the successful functioning of political (diplomacy and diplomatic protocol), social, and religious life among Native Americans. Not only did they wear single strands of wampum as ornaments but they also wore belts on which purple and white beads were woven into pictorial messages (sophisticated icons). Because purple shell was harder to find, and harder to work, purple wampum was worth twice as much as white among Native Americans. The Ayonwata Wampum Treaty Belt of the Haudonoshaunee (Hiawatha Iroquois Wampum Belt) is the most famous of the wampum belts, commemorating the joining the Haudonoshaunee (People of the Longhouse) possibly over 1000 years ago. Among Native Americans, the Quahog has been considered as a beautiful and sacred clam as one of the main “passports” to the world of ether or spirit world. The wampum belt was also used as a formal wedding proposal gift from a man to his potential wife and a proof of marriage just like engagement and wedding rings used today. After contacting North American natives in the early 1600s, European traders and settlers used wampum beads as money. In the 17th Century, wampum was the official currency of the New Amsterdam (now, New York) and other states, and you could even use wampum to pay your taxes to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and pay your tuition at Harvard College then.
About Wampum Black Eye: In Algonquin languages, Suckauaskeequash meant ‘black eye’. The Black Eyes are the earliest known talisman form of wampum. The Black Eyes are America’s oldest amulets and good-luck-charms, found by archaeologists in Native American graves over 4,000 years old. Wampum Black Eyes were believed to be beautiful, mythical and lucky because they were part of ‘the face in the clam-shell’; a face of the sea goddess with deep purple eyes. They are spoon-shaped, a naturally-shaped ‘Worry Stone’ into which one’s thumb fits as if it were made for it. Each Wampum Black Eye of Takeshi Yamada is hand crafted and unique, one of a kind, and first class jewelry.About Worry Stone, Wampum Black Eye Necklace and Earrings:The Worry Stone is one of the most popular and powerful Good Luck Charms found in numerous ancient civilizations world-wide. When you feel physical or emotional pain, anxiety, or stress of any kind, rub the Worry Stone between your thumb and forefinger and experience its magical calming affect enter your body. The gentle pressure of the stone on your thumb is said to release endorphins, your body’s natural painkiller. Carry the Worry Stone with you always in your pocket or wallet. Yamada’s hand-crafted one of a kind necklace and earrings utilize the Wampum Black Eye with its 4,000-year-old unique and distinctive proud history, and dignified culture of America and its people. These are truly America’s original and proud first-class timeless jewelry to own and wear.
Takeshi Yamada
Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, USA
2002
ARTICLES
Article I-I: Artist's Statement: Art of Wampum
Mercenaria mercenaria – quahogs are found in estuaries along the Atlantic Coast, from Canada to Texas. The quahog shell is harder than gems like lapis lazuli and malachite, thus, it takes a high polish to turn into a first class gem. The name “quahog” is from a corruption of the Native American word for the clam, “poquauhock”. However, only the “Northern Quahog”, which is native to New England (the region comprising six states of the NE United States – Main, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Conneticut), has rich deep purple coloration in its shell. The purple color growth ring of the quahog (“Black Eye”; a form of Worry Stone) was used as an amulet, and found at the burial ground of the Native Americans 4,000 years old. And purple is what makes the most-desirable wampum among Native Americans. “Wampum” is a contraction of the Algonquian word “wampumpeage” or “white shell beads strung on a cord.” Wampum was the material object absolutely necessary for the successful functioning of political (diplomacy and diplomatic protocol), social, and religious life among Native Americans. They wore single strands of wampum as ornament. They also wore belts on which purple and white beads were woven into pictorial messages (sophisticated icons). Because purple shell was harder to find, and harder to work, purple wampum was worth twice as much as white. The Ayonwata Wampum Treaty Belt of the Haudonoshaunee (Hiawatha Iroquois Wampum Belt) is the most famous of the wampum belts, joining the Haudonoshaunee (People of the Longhouse) possibly over 1000 years ago. Among Native Americans, the Quahog has been considered as a beautiful and sacred clam as one of the main “passport” to the spirit world.
This clam, which could live 40 years or more, is known to feed Founding Fathers from starvation. In the seafood business today, small quahogs are known as “littlenecks”, larger ones are called “cherrystones” and quahogs over four inches wide are called “chowders.” After contacting North American natives in the early 1600s, European traders and settlers used wampum beads as money. In the 17th Century, wampum was the official currency of the New Amsterdam (now, New York) and other states, and you could even use wampum to pay your taxes to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and pay your tuition at Harvard College then. With this in mind, in 1758, Linneaus himself gave the scientific name in Latin to the quahog meaning “money/wage”. Today, an extract from the quahog called mercenine is discovered as a strong growth inhibitor of cancers in mice, and researchers are investigating its power to be used as the next generation of penicillin.With these unique and distinctive historical and cultural background of quahog in this region of the United States, and with Japanese medieval day’s game called Kaiawase (Clamshell Matching) among high society of Samurai and nobles, I created a series of artworks such as sculptures, jewelry, paintings, prints, drawings, and computer graphics since 2002, when I moved to Coney Island area of Brooklyn, NY, and started harvesting this beautiful marine creature here. It is my hope that my artworks are the vehicles to please the eyes, uplift the spirit, stir the imagination and express conviction. It is my desire to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the importance of the global nature of the world, its people and the bonds that mutually bind them. It is my sincere wish that my creativity and its products contribute to the advancement of the glorious culture based on the sanctity of life and true humanism.
About Wampum: In a broader sense, Wampum is an English word for gems from the shell of the quahog clam (Mercenaria mercenaria), which Native Americans called ‘poquauhock’. The quahog shell is harder than gems like lapis lazuli and malachite. It also takes a high polish; it is truly a first class gem. “Wampum” is a contraction of the Algonquian word “wampumpeage” or “white shell beads strung on a cord.” Wampum was the material object absolutely necessary for the successful functioning of political (diplomacy and diplomatic protocol), social, and religious life among Native Americans. Not only did they wear single strands of wampum as ornaments but they also wore belts on which purple and white beads were woven into pictorial messages (sophisticated icons). Because purple shell was harder to find, and harder to work, purple wampum was worth twice as much as white among Native Americans. The Ayonwata Wampum Treaty Belt of the Haudonoshaunee (Hiawatha Iroquois Wampum Belt) is the most famous of the wampum belts, commemorating the joining the Haudonoshaunee (People of the Longhouse) possibly over 1000 years ago. Among Native Americans, the Quahog has been considered as a beautiful and sacred clam as one of the main “passports” to the world of ether or spirit world. The wampum belt was also used as a formal wedding proposal gift from a man to his potential wife and a proof of marriage just like engagement and wedding rings used today. After contacting North American natives in the early 1600s, European traders and settlers used wampum beads as money. In the 17th Century, wampum was the official currency of the New Amsterdam (now, New York) and other states, and you could even use wampum to pay your taxes to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and pay your tuition at Harvard College then.
About Wampum Black Eye: In Algonquin languages, Suckauaskeequash meant ‘black eye’. The Black Eyes are the earliest known talisman form of wampum. The Black Eyes are America’s oldest amulets and good-luck-charms, found by archaeologists in Native American graves over 4,000 years old. Wampum Black Eyes were believed to be beautiful, mythical and lucky because they were part of ‘the face in the clam-shell’; a face of the sea goddess with deep purple eyes. They are spoon-shaped, a naturally-shaped ‘Worry Stone’ into which one’s thumb fits as if it were made for it. Each Wampum Black Eye of Takeshi Yamada is hand crafted and unique, one of a kind, and first class jewelry.About Worry Stone, Wampum Black Eye Necklace and Earrings:The Worry Stone is one of the most popular and powerful Good Luck Charms found in numerous ancient civilizations world-wide. When you feel physical or emotional pain, anxiety, or stress of any kind, rub the Worry Stone between your thumb and forefinger and experience its magical calming affect enter your body. The gentle pressure of the stone on your thumb is said to release endorphins, your body’s natural painkiller. Carry the Worry Stone with you always in your pocket or wallet. Yamada’s hand-crafted one of a kind necklace and earrings utilize the Wampum Black Eye with its 4,000-year-old unique and distinctive proud history, and dignified culture of America and its people. These are truly America’s original and proud first-class timeless jewelry to own and wear.
Takeshi Yamada
Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, USA
2002
Article II-I: Poem: Wampum Prayer (For Lauren)
For my beloved one,
Who is in pain and suffering,
Trapped in the cage of flesh and blood,
At a cold place where time has no meaning,
So lost, and so far away,
From your home, and your family.
I am grinding my Meditation Stones,
Made of Wampum Black Eye,
Which is believed to carry one’s prayers to the Spirit World.
Treasured for the last 4,000 years,
Among proud people on this majestic land,
In the spirit of the ancient Algonquin Native Americans,
I am sanding my Prayer Stones,
With your noble eyes and smiles in my mind.
With my deepest prayers,
I am polishing my Healing Stone,
For your swift recovery of healthy life,
For your reclaiming active, happy, and productive life,
And
For your returning to your loving awaiting family again.
Takeshi Yamada
Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York
August 25, 2005
For my beloved one,
Who is in pain and suffering,
Trapped in the cage of flesh and blood,
At a cold place where time has no meaning,
So lost, and so far away,
From your home, and your family.
I am grinding my Meditation Stones,
Made of Wampum Black Eye,
Which is believed to carry one’s prayers to the Spirit World.
Treasured for the last 4,000 years,
Among proud people on this majestic land,
In the spirit of the ancient Algonquin Native Americans,
I am sanding my Prayer Stones,
With your noble eyes and smiles in my mind.
With my deepest prayers,
I am polishing my Healing Stone,
For your swift recovery of healthy life,
For your reclaiming active, happy, and productive life,
And
For your returning to your loving awaiting family again.
Takeshi Yamada
Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York
August 25, 2005
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REFERENCE
Wampum: Artist's Statement
Online Jewelry, Wampum Jewelries in the Box
Online Jewelry: Wampum painting
Yamada's Wampum Jewelry Poster
Native American Engagement Rings
BSAG, artist member listing
BSAG, Art Events
REFERENCE
Wampum: Artist's Statement
Online Jewelry, Wampum Jewelries in the Box
Online Jewelry: Wampum painting
Yamada's Wampum Jewelry Poster
Native American Engagement Rings
BSAG, artist member listing
BSAG, Art Events
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Reference: Yamada's Jewelry Making background:
1988 (Teacher)
Yamada taught students (junior and senior high school levels) a variety of art classes including the Jewelry Making Class (metal bracelet, metal ring, metal pendant, etc.) at the French Woods Summer Camp in New York in 1988.
1984 (Student)
Yamada took the Jewelry Making class and created a number of artworks such as "Engraved Profile of Muse of Art (Copper)", "Large Copper Spoons", "S-shaped Dipping Pens", and "Curled Pencil Extension Holder" at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) when he was the Junior level (the second year for obtaining his Bachelor of Fine Art Degree) there.
1982 (Student)
Yamada studied and created numbers of fine art soldiered metal rings and miniature sculptures at the Basic Metal Craft Class when he was the second year of the Osaka Art University in Osaka, Japan.
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Reference: Yamada's Jewelry Making background:
1988 (Teacher)
Yamada taught students (junior and senior high school levels) a variety of art classes including the Jewelry Making Class (metal bracelet, metal ring, metal pendant, etc.) at the French Woods Summer Camp in New York in 1988.
1984 (Student)
Yamada took the Jewelry Making class and created a number of artworks such as "Engraved Profile of Muse of Art (Copper)", "Large Copper Spoons", "S-shaped Dipping Pens", and "Curled Pencil Extension Holder" at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) when he was the Junior level (the second year for obtaining his Bachelor of Fine Art Degree) there.
1982 (Student)
Yamada studied and created numbers of fine art soldiered metal rings and miniature sculptures at the Basic Metal Craft Class when he was the second year of the Osaka Art University in Osaka, Japan.
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