The Pearl King: The Fabulous Mikimoto Story

Mikimoto Kōkichi, the street peddler of noodles and seafood turned one of Japan’s wealthiest and most adored men, was born in Toba on the southern coast of Japan. He quickly became aware of the declining pearl fisheries near his village. After facing twelve years of expensive failures, he finally discovered the secret of implanting a mother-of-pearl granule into a young oyster, resulting in a beautiful pearl.

By 1913, Mikimoto successfully produced cultured pearls that were virtually identical to natural ones. He caused a stir in the global pearl market by offering his pearls at a fraction of the usual price. At the peak of his career, Mikimoto had 12 million oysters, responsible for 75% of the world’s pearls.

However, THE PEARL KING does not solely focus on the remarkable success of Mikimoto’s business. It also highlights the humble and beloved man behind the operation. Even at the age of 90, he entertained his factory workers with juggling and magic tricks. Remarkably, at 94, he was still actively managing his thriving business.

Overall, THE PEARL KING stands out as a uniquely extraordinary biography of the 20th century. Mikimoto Kōkichi’s journey from a simple street peddler to a pioneer in the pearl industry is a story of determination, innovation, and enduring success.

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