Seiko Presage apporte au monde un savoir-faire ancestral et une esthétique typiquement japonaise. Rejoignez-nous pour un voyage à Kanazawa - centre historique de la laque japonaise connue sous le nom d'Urushi - afin d'explorer la terre, la culture et la tradition artisanale qui se cachent derrière ce garde-temps unique en son genre.
Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Series
Urushi Dial
L'artisanat traditionnel japonais
apporte une nouvelle valeur à notre époque.
Un extraordinaire cadran en laque Urushi, réalisé à la main par un artisan chevronné travaillant en étroite collaboration avec l'équipe d'ingénieurs de Seiko, constitue la pièce maîtresse de ce garde-temps unique en son genre. Unissant le passé au présent - et les sensibilités esthétiques traditionnelles à l'innovation mécanique - il est idéal pour ceux qui cherchent à se connecter à la beauté et à la valeur intemporelle dans notre monde moderne qui change trop rapidement. Laissez-vous séduire par son cadran profond et lustré, rehaussé de nuances dorées élaborées, et ornez votre poignet d'une véritable œuvre d'art japonaise.
Ever-evolving history and tradition
Une histoire et une tradition en constante évolution
Située au bord de la mer du Japon, à quelques 500 km au nord-ouest de Tokyo, Kanazawa est l'une des villes historiques les mieux préservées du pays - un haut lieu culturel et artistique depuis l'époque féodale, lorsque les seigneurs esthètes du domaine de Kaga accueillaient les artisans les plus qualifiés de Kyoto, d'Edo (l'ancien nom de Tokyo) et d'autres régions du Japon.
Son climat étant particulièrement propice au processus de fabrication de la laque - qui nécessite une certaine humidité - l'artisanat connu sous le nom d'Urushi s'y est longtemps épanoui. Les objets en laque Urushi de Kanazawa sont connus pour leurs peintures maki-e, des motifs complexes de matériaux précieux et autres matériaux rares appliqués sur une base parfaitement lustrée grâce à des techniques d'une précision magistrale.
Des siècles après l'époque où les seigneurs de la guerre régnaient, l'artisanat ancestral et la passion profonde pour l'expression artistique sont toujours présents dans la ville, ainsi que dans le cœur et l'esprit de ses habitants qui cherchent à préserver, à honorer et à adapter leurs traditions dans une époque en constante évolution.
Kanazawa is also home to other innovative gourmet creations, a characteristic one being the Western-Japanese fusion dish of Hanton Rice—featuring a savory rice-filled omelette topped with fried whitefish, jumbo shrimp, or meat and flavored with ketchup and tartar sauce. Numerous variations can be enjoyed at various establishments throughout the city, each putting its own spin on the original recipe.
Tradition meets
today
Tradition meets today
Running through the heart of the city, the Saigawa River and its wide promenades provide a place of relaxation and refreshment for locals and tourists alike. A popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in spring – or just a jog or a stroll in any season – it is spanned by numerous bridges affording impressive views of its rushing waters.
True value manifests
over time
Isshu Tamura, Urushi Artist
True value manifests
over time
Isshu Tamura, Urushi Artist
Raised in his grandfather’s and father’s lacquer workshop, Isshu Tamura knew from an early age he wanted to follow in their footsteps, and was drawn to Kanazawa where he apprenticed himself to a maki-e master.
Citing lacquer’s venerable history as well as its durability – urushi relics dating back to as early as 9,000 years ago have been excavated in Japan – Mr. Tamura views his craft with a perspective that spans beyond that of a single lifetime.
“I do not consider a piece complete when I have finished crafting it,” he explains, “Rather, that marks the beginning – a work of true value will only be polished further by the passing of the years.”
True value manifests
over time
Isshu Tamura, Urushi Artist
In this sense – despite being an ancient tradition – urushi lacquerware is perhaps ideally suited to meet the needs of the modern age. “To me, urushi is a means by which we can pass down that which is truly important to us to posterity,” Mr. Tamura continues. “It is important that this tradition is not cut off, but rather serves to connect past, present, and future generations.”
Though it is no small task to fashion a dial to very precise, micrometer-level specifications through traditional methods, the master embraces the challenge. “I start not by considering what is accepted as possible, but what we want to achieve – and how to achieve that.”
Mr. Tamura and Seiko have truly created a work of art that honors the past, fits the unique needs of the present, and is destined to be valued long into the future.
True value manifests
over time
Isshu Tamura, Urushi Artist
True value manifests
over time
Isshu Tamura, Urushi Artist
Raised in his grandfather’s and father’s lacquer workshop, Isshu Tamura knew from an early age he wanted to follow in their footsteps, and was drawn to Kanazawa where he apprenticed himself to a maki-e master.
Citing lacquer’s venerable history as well as its durability – urushi relics dating back to as early as 9,000 years ago have been excavated in Japan – Mr. Tamura views his craft with a perspective that spans beyond that of a single lifetime.
“I do not consider a piece complete when I have finished crafting it,” he explains, “Rather, that marks the beginning – a work of true value will only be polished further by the passing of the years.”
In this sense – despite being an ancient tradition – urushi lacquerware is perhaps ideally suited to meet the needs of the modern age. “To me, urushi is a means by which we can pass down that which is truly important to us to posterity,” Mr. Tamura continues. “It is important that this tradition is not cut off, but rather serves to connect past, present, and future generations.”
Though it is no small task to fashion a dial to very precise, micrometer-level specifications through traditional methods, the master embraces the challenge. “I start not by considering what is accepted as possible, but what we want to achieve – and how to achieve that.”
Mr. Tamura and Seiko have truly created a work of art that honors the past, fits the unique needs of the present, and is destined to be valued long into the future.
In this sense – despite being an ancient tradition – urushi lacquerware is perhaps ideally suited to meet the needs of the modern age. “To me, urushi is a means by which we can pass down that which is truly important to us to posterity,” Mr. Tamura continues. “It is important that this tradition is not cut off, but rather serves to connect past, present, and future generations.”
Though it is no small task to fashion a dial to very precise, micrometer-level specifications through traditional methods, the master embraces the challenge. “I start not by considering what is accepted as possible, but what we want to achieve – and how to achieve that.”
Mr. Tamura and Seiko have truly created a work of art that honors the past, fits the unique needs of the present, and is destined to be valued long into the future.
With each piece of urushi art requiring its own distinct precision hand motions and operations, Mr. Tamura crafts his own brushes and instruments from materials such as multiple varieties of bamboo harvested in the mountains to ensure he always has the ideal tool for the task.
Mr. Tamura explains that slight imperfections or blemishes that can arise from tension or unease during the crafting process often do not manifest themselves until the end of the process – requiring the master to start anew.
Pursuing further evolution
Pursuing further evolution
The new Presage Urushi Dial limited edition makes an immediate impression with a face of a profoundly deep green hue evoking the verdant moss that adorns Kanazawa’s landscape in the summer. This color variation – which requires yet further precision to achieve – is truly the embodiment of the master’s ingenuity, passion, and artisanship.
Did you enjoy our journey to explore Kanazawa’s rich history and artistic legacy, and how it influenced the creation of the Seiko Presage Urushi Dial? We hope that it inspired you and gave you new insight into this one-of-a-kind timepiece. Our search for the aesthetic roots of Seiko Presage continues, and we look forward to having you join us once more.
TOP