Featured Mystery Beads my mother left me.

My mother was born in Hiroshima Japan in 1918, she worked as a red cross nurse during the war and immigrated to the U.S. in the 1960's. When she passed away I found this jewelry box containing these beads. She never showed them to me and I have no idea what they are.

Antique Box they are in by Eileen Jones posted Oct 20, 2019 at 6:02 PM

Beads themselves by Eileen Jones posted Oct 20, 2019 at 6:03 PM

Up Close by Eileen Jones posted Oct 20, 2019 at 6:02 PM

Size by Eileen Jones posted Oct 20, 2019 at 6:00 PM

 

i'm going to guess that they are high grade coral......but....upon closer inspection...............well let's git closer..!!!!

 

They look like high quality coral to me too, but need more & clearer pix.

 

A softball size photo of the beads is there.... click on 2nd photo,click on magnifying glass icon,place cursor over photo and left click mouse.

 

good call.........

.i'm still seeing high quality coral....

 

The box definitely has some age if they are original to the box.

You will want to get those symbols on the box translated (If no one here winds up being able to.) Could be a key to the puzzle.

They are beautiful.

 

The box definitely looks like it was made for these beads as you can see in this picture.

How they are attached to box by Eileen Jones posted Oct 20, 2019 at 8:58 PM

 

Here is a close up of the beads, including a close up of the one bead that appears to have a flaw on it.

Close up of one of the beads by Eileen Jones posted Oct 20, 2019 at 9:01 PM

Close up of the one bead that has a flaw on it by Eileen Jones posted Oct 20, 2019 at 9:02 PM

 

are they made to string or are they strung? it almost looks like they are drilled through on side but maybe not? what size are they?

 

What ?

 

I am not sure what you mean on made to be strung but I have taken a photo that shows a more close up shot of the hole on the bead and also one with a ruler to give you idea of the size of the beads. Thank you all for your input.

hole by Eileen Jones posted Oct 20, 2019 at 9:57 PM

bead size by Eileen Jones posted Oct 20, 2019 at 9:57 PM

 

i would not have expected a box like that to be used for beads like those ....
possibly your mother thought so highly of those beads.....she found a good place to store and protect them....
We need some Japanese translation here to confirm if the beads and box are one..

 

https://www.rubylane.com/item/173699-SM-18-141/Magnificent-18K-Gold-Momo-Coral-Bead

Rare Momo coral.... ( no white marks...) ..... perhaps !!!! ??????

 

Hairdo related!
I can’t search now, but I saw that when I got same box and coral beads long time ago!

 

found re: hairdo related
thought you were at the hairdresser's hence can't search now

kanzashi hair ornament japan

 

Ha, you found it! Kudos!!!
Psst... I was busy... and lazy!

 

hi again, my Japanese hair dresser just told me it says Tokyo Muramachi (where the store is located) bottom says Kokuraya (name of the store (pastries and sweets type of store) but when I showed her the beads she said jewelry store maybe

 

To all of you my greatest appreciation. I found this site yesterday and listed my families greatest mysteries. These are what we talk about at every get together. Because my mother and aunt wanted us to be American we were not taught to read, write or even speak Japanese (my greatest sadness). In less than 24 hours you and your kind community have solved all the big questions. I am going to rock at my Uncles birthday party in two weeks. Truly I mean it when I say thank you for your time and effort, it does mean so much.

 

Oh! Thank you Eileen Jones! Your mysteries are so beautiful and interesting.
Enjoy your next family party
Not all new members are so kind and grateful... Specially if it happens they are deceived their unique antique Grand Grand Mother heirloom piece is a modern knock off