Jiji Necklace from Kiki's Delivery Service

He did not want to get on the broom. He made this very clear. And yet here he is, both front paws wrapped around the handle, tail out for balance, one back paw scrambling for a grip he has not quite found yet, expression conveying the precise combination of determination and indignation that is Jiji's signature contribution to any situation. He is fine. He is not fine. He is going anyway.

Jiji

Kiki's Delivery Service was released by Studio Ghibli in 1989, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and based on a novel by Eiko Kadono, and it has been making people smile ever since. Kiki is a young witch who moves to a new city for her year of independent training, and Jiji is the black cat who comes with her. Officially he is her familiar. In practice he is the only one keeping track of all the things that could go wrong.

Jiji is sarcastic. Jiji is anxious. Jiji would prefer to be somewhere warm and indoors with his paws tucked under him rather than flying through the air on a broomstick at considerable altitude. He goes anyway because Kiki needs him and because underneath all the commentary he is completely devoted to her. He is one of the great characters in animated film, and anyone who has ever loved a cat that had opinions about everything and came along regardless will recognize him immediately.

The Piece

Jiji hangs from a horizontal broom handle, both front paws wrapped around it with the grip of someone who has made a commitment and intends to honor it even if he has second thoughts about having made it. His back legs dangle below, one paw raised in an attempt to find additional purchase, his tail curved out behind him for balance. His fur is hand etched and given a dark patina so he reads as the glossy black cat he is, every tuft and texture visible at this scale. His ears are alert. His expression says everything.

The broom is its own small work of craft. Layers of individual silver bristles are bound together with a floral banded ring that makes the whole thing look exactly like a proper witch's broom should, a little rustic and a little fancy at the same time. 

Each Jiji is made to order just for you from sterling silver, which means each one will be its own slightly unique version of the same determined cat. The necklace is 17 inches long on a hand formed sterling silver loop chain with a heart-shaped clasp, and can be made longer or shorter if you prefer, just send a note when you order.

The Craftsmanship

• Pendant: approximately 2.5 inches wide by 2.25 inches tall
• Material: sterling silver throughout, oxidized patina
• Chain: 17 inch hand formed sterling silver loop chain, adjustable on request
• Clasp: handmade sterling silver heart clasp
• Edition: made to order, each one unique

A Note from Tamara

Kiki's Delivery Service is one of my favorite films and Jiji is a large part of why. He is the cat who goes along on every adventure while making it very clear that he has reservations about the adventure. He complains the whole way and shows up every time. I made this necklace because I wanted you to wear that energy every day, that particular combination of reluctance and loyalty that anyone who has ever loved a cat will understand completely. I hope whoever wears Jiji feels his tiny paws hanging on tight every time they look down at him.

Shipping

Your Jiji will be made to order just for you in my little studio in the New Hampshire woods. Please allow two to three weeks for him to be created. You will receive a tracking number by email so you can follow him on his adventure to his new home.