Kayo Saito Wa Ring Gold Large

The Wa collection is the third collection Japanese jewellery artist Kayo Saito has made exclusively for Carpenters Workshop Gallery.

Each ring is available in either gold, or black rhodium, with the metal beaten by a hammer into a thin conical sheet. As with all of Saito’s work, Wa is influenced by the overlooked miracles of nature, referencing plants as endless cycles of energy.

As with many monosyllabic words, Wa can be stressed in different ways to alter its meaning. Most Japanese speakers would understand ‘circle’ as its everyday use, but with added emphasis its meaning can be extended to ‘Origin of Japan’. To Saito, the continuous circle shape of each ring gives a sense of inclusivity and completeness, that is also felt by the wearer.