Sakura Senbei Necklace

This necklace was inspired by the Hana Mix senbei (rice crackers) made by the Umeya Rice Cake Company. Made from gold-plated brass and hard enamel. 17.5” chain is 18K gold-plated. Flower is ¾” diam.

In 1925, Yasuo Hamano founded the Umeya Rice Cake Company, which commenced recreating Japanese confections in the United States to sell to Japanese American communities. Initially, Umeya specialized in the sweet variety of wheat-based senbei or cracker used in fortune cookies, which were invented in California. A tangy, baked, rice-based senbei, originally only made in Japan, was imported by Umeya to sell alongside its own senbei until WWII, when supplies from Japan were cut off and Umeya had to formulate its own version.

One of the most popular of all the Umeya arare (the rice-based senbei flavored with soy sauce) was the Hana Mix, which was cut into the shape of a sakura (cherry blossom) and seasoned with bits of nori (seaweed).

When Umeya closed its factory in 2017, JANM received a generous donation of documents and artifacts from this historic business. Among the artifacts now in JANM’s permanent collection are two machines that were used to cut the shapes for the various arare. Interchangeable cylinders allowed for the various shapes to be made by a single machine. The cylinder for the sakura senbei was particularly beautiful in design and was the inspiration for the line of Sakura Senbei jewelry.

UNLESS FINAL SALE:
Full refunds (less shipping and handling) will be issued provided that the merchandise is in resalable condition upon receipt and the merchandise is returned within 30 days of the delivery date. Before returning any merchandise for a refund or exchange, please email us at museumstore@janm.org. We will provide you with information necessary for the return authorization.

JANM Store Return Policy

STANDARD DELIVERY: Standard deliveries within the continental U.S. are sent via UPS Ground or USPS Priority Mail from Los Angeles, California. Delivery time varies depending on location and product availability but generally takes from 3-10 business days. You will be advised of a delay in shipping that exceeds 30 days.

JANM Store Shipping Policy

The JANM Store is now offering onsite pick-up for orders placed online. Just select “Pick Up in Store” at checkout. You will receive a notification email when your order is ready for pick-up.

Pick-up is by appointment only! Please reply with the date and approximate time you will be picking up your order.
We ask that you pick up your order no later than 10 days after it is ready. If your reply is not received within one week, or you cannot pick up your order within 10 days, your order may be canceled.

We DO NOT guarantee same-day pick-up. Orders received by 3:00 p.m. on a business day will usually be available for pick up by the next available pick-up date. When you arrive at the entrance to the Museum, please call the Store at 888.769.5559, and one of our Sales Associates will bring out your order.

Please allow an extra day for pick-ups on Thanksgiving weekend and the week before Christmas.

We require that you make an appointment for pick up. Appointment times are Tuesday-Saturday 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Days and hours available for a pick up (subject to change without prior notice).

We are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

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