Seiko Presage brings time-honoured craftsmanship and a uniquely Japanese aesthetic to the world. Join us on a journey to Kanazawa – a historical center for the Japanese lacquerware known as urushi – to explore the land, culture, and artisanal tradition behind this one-of-a-kind timepiece.
Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Series
Urushi Dial
Traditional Japanese artisanship
brings new value to our times
A striking urushi lacquerware dial handcrafted by a preeminent artisan working in close concert with Seiko’s engineering team is the centerpiece of this one-of-a-kind timepiece. Uniting past with present – and traditional aesthetic sensibilities with mechanical innovation – it is ideal for those looking to connect with timeless beauty and value in our all-too-rapidly changing modern world. Lose yourself in its deep and lustrous face accented with sophisticated golden hues as you adorn your wrist with a true work of Japanese art.
Ever-evolving history and tradition
Ever-evolving history and tradition
Located beside the Sea of Japan some 500 km northwest of Tokyo, Kanazawa is one of the country’s most well-preserved historical cities – a cultural and artistic mecca since feudal days, when the aesthete lords of the Kaga Domain welcomed the most skilled artisans from Kyoto, Edo (the former name of Tokyo), and other regions of Japan.
Its climate particularly conducive to the lacquer-making process – which requires a certain amount of humidity – the craft known as urushi has long flourished here. Kanazawa urushi lacquerware is known for its maki-e paintings, intricate patterns of precious materials and other rare materials applied to a profoundly lustrous base through masterfully precise techniques.
Centuries since the days when warlords ruled, time-honoured crafts and a deeply held passion for artistic expression live on in the city itself, and the hearts and minds of its people who seek to preserve, honour, and adapt their traditions in an ever-changing age.
Kanazawa is also home to other innovative gourmet creations, a characteristic one being the Western-Japanese fusion dish of Hanton Rice—featuring a savoury 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 honours 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 honours 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 honours 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 colour 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.
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