I love asking about the story behind a name. Sometimes it hints at a person’s character; sometimes it reveals the hopes of those who gave it.

In Japan, names often carry meaning through kanji, making each one a quiet fragment of history.

When I asked my grandmother, born in Taiwan, about the origins of both her Japanese and Taiwanese names, she wore two necklaces—one for each—and I photographed her. For the first time, I felt as though I had glimpsed her personal history.

Each Initial Necklace is a one-of-a-kind piece. It can be turned to hide the letter, a secret you choose to reveal or keep, depending on the encounters and moments of your day.