Carey Shiro Iida, a second-generation Japanese-American, has always had a talent for art and design, and began glass etching as a hobby. With a passion for Japanese design, he decided to focus his interest on Japanese family crests (kamon or mon). Family and friends encouraged him to pursue this interest in kamon designs in glass and to display his work at cultural art festivals. With overwhelming positive responses, Carey soon realized this art form would help others preserve an important part of their own family heritage.

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Pride, passion, and perfection go into the creation of each Shiro Designs hand-crafted etched glass sculpture. Whether it’s a photo frame or special order kamon glass sculpture, Carey places the utmost importance in every art piece commissioned, and his personal attention to detail will assure the highest quality of craftsmanship is always maintained.

For hundreds of years, Japanese families have identified themselves by the use of a kamon (Japanese family crest). Throughout history, kamon designs have appeared on countless Japanese art objects, crafted from traditional materials such as fabric, paper, metal, stone, wood, and earthenware. Artists of the time rarely, if ever, used glass as an art form. The beauty of glass and crystal, their brilliance and reflective quality are the reasons Carey chose this modern medium. His Japanese family crest art sculptures are a pleasing blend of traditional Japanese designs and glass, which create a stylish and contemporary family heirloom. He creates each piece by hand with the same skill and precision of the craftsmen of old-world Japan.

The preservation of your ancestry and family heritage is of great importance. With the passing of generations and diversification of Japanese-American families, it is our goal to help you preserve your kamon in a unique and elegant form. A Shiro Designs kamon art sculpture in your home will ensure that your family crest will be remembered by future generations.