Hachigo

Hitomi Iketani’s interest in art, design, and creativity has been the driving force behind her passion for bringing two different cultures—Australia and Japan—closer together.

"Before I moved from Tokyo to Melbourne over twenty years ago, I was working in merchandising, marketing, and branding. After I had a child, I wanted a new pace of life, but I also knew I wanted to bring that creative spirit to this new chapter of life," Hitomi explains.

Hachigo was born out of her love for creativity and is a business that blends art, design, and culture.

Initially, Hitomi wanted to export Australian design products to Japan, but she soon became acquainted with local artists and was deeply inspired by their work.

"I met some very talented artists in Melbourne, so I decided to use my experience in Tokyo to start commissioned projects in Japanese hotels and restaurants," she recalls.
"It just felt like this was the perfect way to link the two cultures with art and design."
Since 2017, she has focused on exhibiting unique jewellery created by Japanese artist KAORI TAZOE in Australia. The mix-and-match rings, called "The Small Factory Ring", are made in an old-fashioned small-town factory that usually produces precision medical components and other products. They are a perfect combination of craftsmanship and fresh creativity.
"The Small Factory Ring" is not sold in retail stores in Australia; instead, Hitomi focuses on creating meaningful connections with her customers. "I want to meet in person to share the story behind the jewellery," she says.

She often presents the rings to her customers over a cup of coffee in a café. Her pop-up events in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane also offer a relaxed environment where visitors can create their own personalised combinations while learning about the art behind the jewellery.

Looking ahead, Hitomi’s vision remains clear: "Australia and Japan both have such rich cultures. I want to continue connecting people in my own way and bringing a little bit of Japan to Australia and vice versa."

Words by Joyce Watts & Photography by Anna Encio