The History of the Goros Brand

The Goros jewelry brand has been a cultural celebration for half a century and its history is as precious as the exquisite pieces themselves.

Before Goro Takahashi made his mark in the silver jewelry world, Native Indian jewelry had never before been shown in Japan. In fact, Goro was an artist pioneer in more ways than one. From the late 1960’s until his death in 2013, Goro used the most innovative production methods in combination with traditional Navajo techniques to create an avant-garde silver jewelry brand that major musicians of today—SMAP’s Kimura Takuya, and American singers such as Ed Sheeran and John Mayer to name a few—regularly incorporate into their own brand of rock star looks.

The story behind Goro personal connection to representing the eagle motif in his work is the stuff of legends: the founder was given the name Yellow Eagle when he became especially close to the Lakota Tribe in South Dakota. Goro was given the name after he became the first non-Lakota person to take part in the culture’s Sun Dance ritual. The crowning of the Yellow Eagle name symbolized the eagle as a bird of the East, and the color yellow depicted the East on its medicine wheel.

As fate would have it, Goro was already set up for the journey to jewelry making from a very young age. In his high school years he was taught how to carve leather by US troops in Occupied Japan. When the occupation of his country ended, an American soldier gave Goro some leather-carving tools as a parting token. It turned out to be a gift that kept on giving: Goro was fascinated by leather carving and he realized he had a talent for it. In 1956 he began selling belts in Tokyo’s Komagome district and soon he opened his first store in Aoyama where he produced leather goods such as well-crafted bags in addition to his belts.

It was then that Goro made his way across America to learn more about his craft but serendipitously discovered silver engraving from the Native Americans. After his destined meeting with the Lakota Tribe and being given a rebirth of sorts with his new tribal name, Goro returned to Tokyo in 1966 and in 1972 he established his boutique on Omote-Sando Street in the Harajuku district where he quickly established a name for himself in the silver accessories niche and industry. Goro’s feather—a striking silver feather—became his signature motif and the image has become synonymous with the Goro’s jewelry brand. Each of the Goros feather pieces denote the sacredness of eagle feathers.

Today Goro’s has a 50-year history and his designs are ultra-exclusive: there is only one Goro’s store in the entire world. Fans—many of whom are celebrities from all over the globe—make the voyage to Tokyo to experience the treasures of Goro and the living spirit of Yellow Eagle. The atelier includes Goro’s jewelry (including many of Goro's feather-motif pieces), watches, bags, wallets, luggage, and more. The foundation of the Goro’s brand is just as vivacious today—almost nine years after the founder’s passing. The eponymous company is made up of several generations of his family—as well as his trusted staff—who continuously support and protect Goro’s work, label, and legacy. Half a century later, the Goros culture keeps growing, and is now available online.

Revel in a piece of Goro's story and culture: our online boutique has a stunning and versatile collection of Goro's jewelry complete with the Goros feather emblem. As a bonus, you can get 10% off your first two orders from nativefeather.jp —an authorized dealer of the Goros jewelry brand which is also run by the family—when you sign up for our email newsletter.