#2. MADE IN YUZAWA
2024年9月26日
#4. HORIZON of the country where the sun rises
2024年11月6日#2. MADE IN YUZAWA
2024年9月26日#4. HORIZON of the country where the sun rises
2024年11月6日#3. Words from Mr. Hiroki Settsu
According to Mr. Settsu, a master craftsman in Kawatsura lacquerware, his first encounter with MINASE watches was at a high-profile department store in Tokyo. After gazing at the watches bearing the name of his hometown and wondering whether it was the same Minase, Mr. Settsu said he was surprised to learn later this was indeed the case, that MINASE was the brand of a watchmaker based in Yuzawa, Akita. He felt such pride to know that this watch brand was thriving in his local community and selling its watches globally, from the very place where he used to play by the river as a child.
10 years after his first encounter with MINASE, Mr. Settsu was approached by Mr. Suzuki, President of MINASE, who proposed that the two MADE-IN-YUZAWA companies collaborate in the development of a MINASE watch that featured the fantastic art of Kawatsura lacquerware for distribution worldwide. This was a truly joyous moment for Mr. Settsu, who said: “Kawatsura lacquerware is a traditional craftwork that dates back centuries to the Kamakura period. Well into the 21st century, those of us involved in the craft are still refining our individual techniques, never compromising on producing genuine pieces of our brand of lacquerware. However, as lifestyles have changed over the years, there are fewer occasions to use lacquerware. Accordingly, this collaboration is a great opportunity to introduce Kawatsura lacquerware to people all over the world, in the form of the dials of MINASE watches, showcasing the wonder of our craft. I truly believe that certain kinds of beauty can only be created by human hands.”
This is an in-depth travelogue of Mr. K. Kawakami who specializes in writing reports on various factories.
He takes a look at the fundamental value of MINASE, with incisive insight and observation refined over the years, as a seasoned expert on the watch industry.
Writer : K. Kawakami
K. Kawakami is a professional writer specializing in exploring diverse factories, reporting on their unique manufacturing practices in Japan and around the world. He travels to the factories of many manufacturers that operate on the principle of perfection, including watches, electrical appliances, shoes, fashion items, buildings, foods, confections, and traditional crafts.