Raden Hair Clips: Choosing a Japanese Mother-of-Pearl Barrette from Kyoto

A Japanese mother-of-pearl hair clip is easiest to choose in two steps: pick the shape, then the color. For a half-up style or a low bun that shows off the back of your head, choose an 11.2 cm barrette; for a smaller accent, a 5 cm square hair clip. Then decide between white, black or sakura-pink mother-of-pearl, or a kinsai version finished in gold and traditional-color leaf.

All seven pieces in this guide are made by NOB MIYAKE in Kyoto. Each one is decorated with raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) or kinsai (gold-leaf decoration) and finished with auspicious patterns painted in gold leaf.

Raden is the Japanese name for a decorative technique in which the iridescent inner layer of a shell is shaved thin and set into or onto a surface to form a pattern. The technique has a long history in Japan: objects decorated with mother-of-pearl survive among the 8th-century treasures of the Shosoin repository in Nara, and raden has long been used on lacquerware.

These hair accessories take a different route. They come from kinsai, the Kyoto craft of decorating kimono fabric with gold leaf and gold powder. The maker, Nobuki Miyake (三宅誠己), is a certified traditional craftsman of kinsai who has been hand-painting Japanese bridal kimono in Kyoto for more than 37 years. He has adapted his kimono techniques, including his own method of applying raden, to accessories made in his Kyoto workshop. The shop is run by Miyake Kogei Co., Ltd.

For the raden barrettes and clips, the inner part of natural abalone shell is carved out, softened with a special process and applied as raden on a stainless steel base. Auspicious patterns (kisshō mon'yō, traditional motifs that carry wishes for good fortune) are then painted on top in gold leaf and other leaf. Read more about the craft in What is kinsai? Kyoto's gold-leaf kimono craft and NOB MIYAKE.

The barrette is long and slim, so the pattern reads well across a half-up style or above a gathered bun. The small hair clip weighs a third as much and works as a compact accent. As a general rule, very thick hair can be hard to hold with a slim barrette; picture where you usually clip your hair and check that an 11.2 cm piece fits there.

Prices are in Japanese yen including Japanese consumption tax, as of October 2026. The amount shown on Buyee will vary with exchange rates and fees.

The product pages list the color of each piece. Here is how they compare.

The abalone barrette pairs white raden with a gold pattern; it is bright and soft, and easy to wear with pale colors. The New Zealand abalone barrette uses abalone shell from New Zealand, often called paua, a shell generally known for strong blue and green tones; its listed color is black raden. The two black small clips share a product name, but every piece is unique, so compare the photos.

The sakura-pink hair clip uses abalone raden processed to a cherry-blossom pink with the maker's own technique. It is the softest color in the range and a good match for spring outfits.

If you prefer the look of kimono gold work to the shimmer of shell, there are two kinsai barrettes at ¥11,000 each: sakura pink (pale pink on a silver-tone base) and gold leaf. Hard-to-find leaf in traditional Japanese colors is applied with the maker's own technique, then auspicious patterns are painted on top. The gold version also uses kirimawashi, gold leaf torn into rough pieces. Both are the same size as the raden barrettes.

• With kimono: the auspicious patterns come from the same tradition as kimono designs, so they sit naturally with Japanese dress.
• At weddings and celebrations: auspicious motifs suit festive outfits, and a barrette is what people see from behind.
• Every day: the small clips are discreet enough for the office. Black raden looks calm; sakura pink looks soft.

Each piece is made by hand, so the pattern may differ slightly from the photos, and screen colors may vary. The product pages give no care instructions; as a general rule for shell and leaf accessories, wipe with a soft dry cloth, keep water, perfume and hair spray off them, and store them separately so they do not knock against other jewelry. The shop generally does not accept returns except for defective items.

ITOSHIO does not ship directly to addresses outside Japan. To order from abroad, use Buyee, a proxy shopping service: open the product page and use the Buyee button on the page to start your order. International shipping, fees and any customs duties are shown on Buyee's screens, and Buyee's guidance tells you which countries and items it can ship.

If you have a delivery address in Japan, for example when sending a gift to family there, you can switch to a domestic order from the product page ("I have a delivery address in Japan").

Step by step: How to buy from ITOSHIO overseas with Buyee. Buyee's site: Buyee

Prices are in Japanese yen including tax; the amount shown on Buyee will vary with exchange rates and fees.

The maker's page: NOB MIYAKE

Further reading

• What Is Kinsai? Kyoto's Gold-Leaf Kimono Craft and NOB MIYAKE
• Japanese Gifts for Men: Kyoto Gold-Leaf Tie Pins and Silk Pocket Squares
• Japanese Handmade Gifts: Artisan Pieces You Can Order From Abroad