The Legend of Harajuku Yellow Eagle

Goro Takahashi (hereinafter referred to as ‘Goro’) has shown his talent for carving on leather since he was a teenager, and established the leather craft goro’s in Komagome, Tokyo in 1956. The company began its history.

In the 60’s, he produced many leather goods with intricate leather carvings, mainly bags and belts. In the late 60’s he began making his own original brass buckles and metal fittings.

Goro set up an atelier on the second floor of Central Apartment building in Minami Aoyama, and it was here that many of the world’s leading fashion designers and artists, attracted to his charisma and workmanship, would come to hang out, soaking up the vibes and deepening the friendships. During this period he turned his hands to silverwork, tirelessly working on creations of leatherworks embellished with silver accessories.

In 1972, he opened his very own shop goro’s on Omotesando. For some time, he had been drawn to the American Indian culture, and would make frequent visits to the United States, ultimately connecting with the Lakota tribe of South Dakota. He spent a great deal of time with them and soaking up the Lakota ways. Following, in a sacred naming ceremony, he was to receive the name Yellow Eagle.

In 1979, Goro was trusted sufficiently to later be permitted to dance in one of the most sacred of Lakota Ceremonies, the Sundance, he was the first for a Japanese national.For Goro the eagle motifs were precious, they had a connection with his given Indian name Yellow Eagle and were a center of his creations.

It is one of the starting points of his life’s work, and he has continued to produce a number of representative works using his self-developed techniques and ideas, such as his original eagle pendants, feathers as well as numerous masterpiece items such as conchos, buckles, rings, and bracelets.

Goro and goro’s are the pioneer of Indian Jewellery in Japan.
Furthermore, the crafted works at goro’s which you could say are permeated with his spirit, were never passed on to any other business. Instead, since the shop’s foundation, the goro’s family (so named by him, made up of several generations of his family and trusted staff members) have continued to protect and support his works and legacy.

goro’s in Omotesando is a shop filled with Goro’s dreams and spirit, and it is the only space in the world where he has continued to mark his history for over 40 years. Even today, many fans visit from Japan and around the world, looking forward to encountering the spirit of Yellow Eagle.

*Please note that there is only one “goro’s” shop located on Harajuku/Omotesando, Tokyo. It is the only authentic shop that Goro established. There are absolutely NO branches, wholesalers, or other stores affiliated with goro’s or associated shops, nor are there any authorized goro’s stores or stores run by apprentices. Please be careful of counterfeit, imitation, and used products found on other shops. [Source: goros.com]