The Conversation with:- Yoshiki Suzuki

“Unique & meticulously detailed pieces of jewelry inspired by its founder vast traveling experience certainly catches attention with its eccentric & bizarre designs”

Peanuts and Co. is a handmade jewelry collection founded by Japanese photographer Yoshiki Suzuki. Unique & meticulously detailed pieces of jewelry inspired by its founder vast traveling experience certainly catches attention with its eccentric & bizarre designs. We speak with man behind this quirky brand and find out what inspires & influences him as an individual and as a brand.

Q & A

Can you share with us how you started Peanuts & Co and what were your early influences?

I've always been interested in silver jewelery and jewelery from all over the world, traveling and buying and the inspiration that comes from jewelery. The reason I started Peanuts & co was that people traveling overseas got acquainted with Tattoo and clothes, and what was the reward in return? It started with something that you can give in a souvenir way.

Did you enjoy the journey and the experience?

Travel is one of the things that formed me. Exciting and first-time experience fostered my five senses. Photos are part of that.

You collaborated for a 2nd time with Shawn Yue from Madness. How did the project came about?

It was decided to call again from MADNESS.

Other than Peanuts & Co jewelry line, you are also into photography. Care to explain on your photography style?

There was a longing for a cool world. And that was street culture.

You spent almost 10 years travelling US, before it was translated into a book titled UNION. Why US & its culture? Any specific meaning or reason behind it?

I don't like American politics, but I liked American culture. I visited it many times to see it, and filmed the people I met.

Tattoo, biker and music seems to be the main topics in your photography. May we know why?

It was in America that I had many cultures such as art, music, hod rods, motorcycles, etc. that I liked. I came to experience it many times as I knew it deeply, and I have included it in myself. I think it was very exciting and made my mind. I have photographed those experiences that I cannot usually meet or experiences that I cannot experience in normal life.

From what we can see, Peanuts and Co. are more towards American Circus inspired,Care to share more on this?

I am influenced by circus and 1910s-60s culture. I've always loved vintage things and culture, and I've been inspired by various things.

Other than designing for your brand & photograph, what do you do to relax and de-stress?

Of course, I always watch music, art, photos, etc. at home. However, I have been surfing for 20 years with a completely different relaxation method. It's the moment when it disappears to me. And it's a necessary act and lifestyle for me.

What are the 3 movies that most important to you? Feel free to share with us even any Japanese movie.

It’s difficult to choose, but if I dare to list it, it would be :

1. Pulp Fiction
2. Into the Wild
3. Joker

Care to name 3 musicians or bands that consider important to you personally especially while you work for your jewelry and photo shooting?

I listen to music quite widely, to list 3 are as below, but truthfully it is more than just these :

1. Tom Yorke
2. Massive Attack
3. Sixto Rodriguez

Any good books/articles you can recommend to us?

Photo Books : Bruce Davidson circus
Books : Rolling Thunder. Doug Boyd
Photo books :Vivian Maier StreetPhotograher

What are your activities during this lock-down period? Have you been staying at home or do you able to go to your studio?

I haven't been able to shoot during this corona. That is why I am working on organizing old photos and planning for the future.

What is your opinion on the current global situation and what are your forecast on how things will be particularly for our in dustry, post pandemic?

We live in a historical setting and I think this is a very important time. In such a difficult situation all over the world, governments and institutions are experiencing trade wars and digital wars on the other side.

I think it has become a time of great concern for us as we live today. The disparity society will spread greatly from now on, and we have to live under the influence of 5G and pandemics. The topics of concern are how the future of Metaverse, NFT, analog and digitalization will affect art, music and culture.

I think that in the rapidly changing world, information is not tricked and you have to make your own choices. And we think it is important to be able to send good things and real things to the world.