The Presage Museum |The Beauty of Japan in Bloom.| Seiko Watch Corporation

Exhibition 2

Strength in Stillness.
The Beauty of Japan
in Bloom.

Flowers do not speak, yet they can move memory and emotion in profound ways. In this second installment of 2026, we step into the world of Ikebana artist(flower artist) and art director BIEI, who approaches her work not as decoration, but as a way of revealing each plant’s inherent energy. The Presage Museum explores how such Japanese sensibilities continue to evolve through the eyes of contemporary creators.

BIEI,

Ikebana Artist and Art Director

BIEI,

Ikebana Artist and Art Director

Working with flowers as living materials, BIEI approaches ikebana as a dialogue with nature. By reading the context of a place, including its history, atmosphere, and intention, she creates her art.

In this second installment of 2026, we visit BIEI with navigator Alex Derycz, whose multicultural background and fluency across five languages bring a global perspective to Japanese aesthetics. Through this dialogue, we explore a sense of beauty shaped by nature, restraint, and time.

A Foundation Shaped
by Nature, Context, and Memory

Alex: You were exposed to tea ceremony and flower arranging from a young age. How have those experiences shaped the way you work today?

BIEI: From a very early age, I was surrounded by Japan’s changing seasons, and respect for plants felt natural. Flowers were always part of my daily life, and I would be given scissors and asked to go out into the garden to gather them. Bringing those flowers indoors and arranging them was my first experience of creating a small universe within a space. That sensibility still forms the foundation of my work today, and I try to respond to the individuality of each plant.

Alex: When you create a piece, what principle guides you most?

BIEI: The most important thing is to read the context in which the work will exist. I consider the history of the place, the emotions of the people involved, and the reason the work is being created, and then begin to shape the piece so that it carries a philosophy suited to that moment and setting.
Flowers do not speak, but they can move people’s memories and emotions. They are present at many important moments in our lives. Rather than creating something that asserts itself, I value arrangements that remain quietly in memory.

Alex: What message did you want to express in the piece you created for this shoot?

BIEI: I selected the flowers to reflect the three dial colors of the new Presage Classic Series models. The sakura model I am wearing expresses the soft pink of cherry blossoms, and I wanted to explore how to present that image in a new way. By incorporating strong driftwood, I introduced a silhouette that goes beyond delicacy.

Alex: It’s a beautiful piece that leaves a lasting impression.

BIEI: Flowers engage the senses and are closely tied to the seasons. In the same way, memories are often awakened through scent, light, or the time of year. Through my work, I hope to gently evoke something within the viewer.

A Quiet Dignity Shaped
by Japanese Aesthetics

Alex: What does “Japanese beauty” mean to you personally?

BIEI: For me, Japanese beauty lies in quietness and in the aesthetic of subtraction. It is not only about what is ornate or complete, but also about shadow, space, and the moment something begins to fade. In ikebana, what we consider most beautiful is not full bloom, but the moment just before it, or as it begins to fall. That sensitivity — to value a process rather than a fixed state — feels deeply Japanese.

Alex: I see. It’s not just what we see, but also the space and time around it. That’s beautiful. And your work connects tradition with contemporary expression.

BIEI: I don’t believe it is enough to simply preserve tradition. What matters is how we reinterpret it so it can exist in the present and continue forward. Japanese culture is deeply connected to the seasons and nature. Even cherry blossoms are not only symbolic – they have long been tied to daily life and the rhythms of time.
My role is to connect that sensibility to contemporary spaces and global audiences, so that it continues to live as something relevant rather than remaining in the past.

Alex: What was your first impression of the Presage Classic Series?

BIEI: I felt that Japanese aesthetics were expressed with great care. The watch has a quiet dignity and blends naturally into everyday life.

Alex: What did you think of the dial’s silk-like texture and cherry blossom-inspired colors?

BIEI: The colors feel refined and not overly sweet. There is a distinctly Japanese layering that conveys mature elegance. What interests me most is the depth, as though the color carries energy rather than simply sitting on the surface. In nature, a living flower has energy. I feel that same vitality in the dial.

Alex: That’s a beautiful way of putting it. The shironeri model I’m wearing is inspired by the pure white of silk before it is dyed. It reflects light in a subtle, refined way.

BIEI: The colors remind me of traditional dyeing techniques. The softness, subtle tonal shifts, and connection to silk feel natural. It is not about recreating nature but reinterpreting it.
It has a balanced presence, elegant yet easy to wear. The size feels natural and not limited by gender, making it suitable for both everyday life and special occasions.

Alex: Do you see any shared values between your work and this watch?

BIEI: Yes. Both express something beyond surface beauty. There is a philosophy behind them and careful attention to detail. Rather than being showy, they communicate depth through subtlety.

Like flowers, time is something we experience through change, memory, and presence. In BIEI’s work, each arrangement holds the passing of the seasons, quietly containing the flow of time. The Presage Classic Series reflects this same sensibility. Its silk-like dials, from the soft tones of sakura-iro to the clarity of shironeri, shift in expression as they meet the light.
Through this dialogue, a shared approach to beauty emerges – one that values detail, embraces restraint, and reinterprets tradition for the present. In that sense, the watch becomes a way of carrying Japanese aesthetics into everyday life.

From late March to early April, when cherry blossoms reach their peak, festivals and seasonal events unfold across Tokyo. Illuminations and river cruises offer scenes of spring. Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) became widely enjoyed during the Edo period (1603~1868) and continues to be cherished in Tokyo today.

HCC003

Yoyogi ParkJust a three-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station, Yoyogi Park offers a sense of openness in central Tokyo. Around 500 cherry blossom trees bloom from late March, inviting visitors to stroll beneath the blossoms or enjoy a picnic. Cycling paths and a dog run offer a variety of ways to enjoy the park.

HCC003

Sumida ParkStretching along the Sumida River, this park offers the rare pleasure of viewing cherry blossoms set against the Tokyo Skytree. Well-maintained paths and a Japanese garden provide a setting in which a sense of history and the modern city come together.

HCC003

Shinjuku GyoenWithin Shinjuku Gyoen, formal European gardens, naturalistic landscape gardens, and tranquil Japanese gardens unfold side by side. Around 900 cherry blossom trees across some 70 varieties bloom in succession from February to late April, offering an extended season of spring.

Chidorigafuchi Green WayA 700-meter promenade runs along the Imperial Palace moat, lined with cherry blossom trees, their reflections creating a striking view on the water. Visitors can rent boats to enjoy the blossoms from the moat, and from late March to early April, the trees are illuminated at night.

Enjoying a picnic beneath cherry blossoms is one of the pleasures of hanami. Easy-to-eat foods are popular, and temari sushi is also enjoyed on such occasions. These bite-sized, visually appealing pieces are made of vinegared rice shaped into small balls and topped with colorful ingredients.

The custom of wrapping rice cakes in salted cherry leaves is said to have originated in the Edo period. The pickled leaves lend a delicate aroma and a subtle saltiness. In the Kanto style, sakura mochi consists of sweet bean paste wrapped in a thin crepe made from flour dissolved in water and cooked.

Sanshoku dango is a traditional Japanese sweet of three dumplings—pink, white, and green—skewered together. While there are various interpretations of its origin, the colors are often said to represent the scenery and seasons of spring. It has long been associated with hanami and spring outings.

AJourneyThrough Japanese BeautySpecial Feature

Exploring Tomioka SilkwithSheila Cliffe

Looking Back to the Origins of the Silk
that Spun the World

“The reason I was first drawn to kimono was silk. Its rich sheen, luster, and supple texture captivated me.” Kimono researcher Sheila Cliffe has spent many years studying Japan’s culture of dress and sharing its appeal worldwide. On this occasion, she visits Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma Prefecture, the birthplace of Japan’s silk industry. There, she explores how the Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization, dedicated to preserving and promoting the Tomioka Silk brand, inspired Seiko Presage, leading to the creation of the Presage Classic Series "Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization" Limited Edition.

Navigator

Sheila Cliffe

Kimono researcher born in the United Kingdom. In addition to teaching English and kimono culture at universities, she has also organized kimono exhibitions and fashion shows in Japan and abroad, promoting Japanese dress culture.

A wooden-frame brick structure that blends French and Japanese architectural techniques. The East Cocoon Warehouse, West Cocoon Warehouse, and Silk-Reeling Plant are designated National Treasures.

The building where silk thread was reeled from cocoons. At the time of its founding, it was the largest mechanized silk-reeling factory in the world. Today, automatic reeling machines from the time operations ceased in 1987 are preserved here.

The building extends to approximately 140 meters in length. Its truss-structured roof allows for a vast pillar-free interior space.

A massive storehouse originally used to store cocoons at the time of the mill’s founding. Today, it has been reinforced for earthquake resistance and is used as an exhibition hall and event space.

Raw Silk That Supported Japan’s Modernization

In 1872, the Japanese government established the Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma Prefecture. As Japan expanded overseas trade, demand grew for high-quality raw silk, leading to the introduction of French reeling technology. By combining this with Japan’s sericulture tradition, a modern silk industry was born. The techniques developed in Tomioka spread nationwide, and raw silk came to account for around 80% of Japan’s exports, supporting the country’s modernization.
“What fascinates me,” Cliffe notes, “is that this high-quality silk reflects not only technological innovation, but also the careful sensibility of Japanese craftsmanship.”
In 2014, the Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Their value lies not only in the architecture, but in enabling silk, once reserved for elites, to be mass-produced and made widely accessible.

Cocoons of the premium Gunma-Hoso variety produced exclusively in Tomioka. They yield extremely fine and long raw silk distinguished by its platinum-like whiteness and luster.

When ultra-fine Gunma-Hoso threads are woven into fabric, they create supple drapes and a translucent brilliance.

The Remaining 0.1% of Purely Japanese Domestic Silk

Today, purely domestic Japanese silk accounts for less than 0.1% of the silk distributed in Japan. As the number of sericulture farmers declines and industry structures shift, production continues to fall.
The Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization works to preserve this cultural heritage and pass it on to the future. It supports integrated production in Gunma Prefecture, helps farmers maintain proper rearing environments, oversees quality control, ensures traceability, and upholds strict standards. Through these efforts, it has established a certification system and strengthened the “Tomioka Silk” brand.
“Ultimately, the quality of domestic silk begins with the quality of the cocoon,” Cliffe explains. Gunma-Hoso, a premium Tomioka variety, is known for its exceptionally fine, long fibers and striking whiteness.

HCC008

The Luster of Silk Expressed on a Dial

When ultrafine Gunma-Hoso is woven into fabric, it produces an even more delicate and profound luster, with an elegant glow reminiscent of platinum. The fabric seems almost to emit light from within. Inspired by this beauty, Seiko created the Presage Classic Series "Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization" Limited Edition. The dial features a newly developed pattern that evokes the graceful drape of silk textiles. As the softly undulating pattern catches the light, rich shadows and depth appear across the surface.
A pearlescent coating further enhances the dial, creating a transparency and depth of brilliance reminiscent of fabric woven from Gunma-Hoso silk. Holding the watch in her hand, Sheila Cliffe reflects quietly:
“It expresses the luster and suppleness of the finest Gunma-Hoso silk, and the rich play of light created by its finely woven drape.”

Poto of Seiko Presage Classic Series Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization Limited Edition

Seiko Presage Classic Series
"Tomioka Silk Promotion Organization" Limited Edition
(Limited edition of 2,000 pieces worldwide)
HCC008 [ Caliber 6R51 ] Specification

A beautifully expressive dial that shifts in appearance with the angle of light. The bezel is delicately engraved with fine detailing.

To enhance the dial’s refined tone, the case is finished in a pink gold color. The leather strap features a deep brown hue inspired by the red brick of the Tomioka Silk Mill.

Carrying Forward the Beauty of Japan

A pink gold–colored case enhances the dial’s refined whiteness and delicate brilliance. With a 38mm mid-size case, the watch offers a balanced presence on the wrist.
The gently curved dial is paired with hands that trace its contour, reflecting a refined sense of Japanese craftsmanship. The dark brown leather strap recalls the red-brick architecture of the Tomioka Silk Mill.
Woven from history and craftsmanship, this limited-edition timepiece embodies a quiet dignity and an expression of Japanese aesthetics designed to be worn and appreciated over time.