Money and Pearls

The year is 1947 and Bart D’Elia is getting ready to go home after spending 6 months in Japan buying and processing pearls. The day before departing he receives a call from Mr. Mikimoto asking him to come to Ise. Mr. D’Elia says that he would be happy to come but he was leaving the next day and was anxious to get home after 6 months. Mr. Mikimoto said I think it will be worth your time to come. He decided to go.

When he arrived at Mr. Mikimoto’s office he was informed that Mr. Mikimoto wanted to sell him some pearls. Not just any pearls, but the best pearls from his productions of the war years. During the war the Japanese Government had required the pearl production to be turned over to the government to help finance the war. Individuals were required to turn over all gold and jewelry for the same reason. Mr. Mikimoto had kept the best pearls for himself and buried them in a spot near his office. He now wanted to sell them but he couldn’t let the government know. If they found out he would go to jail. A price was agreed upon and Mr. D’Elia said I will send you a check from my bank in Japan. Mr. Mikimoto informed him that he could not accept a check because the government would ask him what it was for. This had to be a cash deal. At that time the largest Yen note was 1000 Yen. After delivering 6 suitcases of cash, Mr. D’Elia took possession of the pearls. This is the picture that was taken at the close of the deal. How the pearls were shipped from Japan is another story.