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From G-Shock to High Accuracy Quartz, the Big Three of Japan Casio, Citizen, and Seiko are constantly disrupting and contributing to the watch industry. But though their watches may be unique, they make sure to reserve some of the best exclusively for home, the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM). These pieces, like “Oceanus” and “The Citizen”, are unknown to most non-Japanese and rare in that they can only be sourced through specific channels. Let’s look at an example from each company that captures the essence of what Japan decided is too good for the rest of the world.
Japan, specifically its industries, has been ubiquitous for more than a half-century for excellent quality at a value. This characteristic is found across most consumable goods available from Japan, their watches not exempt. But the full extent of this maxim manifests only in what is intended for the native Japanese populace. While there is an extensive catalog to choose from once one breaches the J
Beyond begins with the early trade history of ceramics, when cobalt blue from the Persian Gulf meets ceramic shapes and techniques from China. The story continues with the introduction of stonepaste, which revolutionizes Persian ceramics, spawning an unprecedented flourishing of shapes, techniques, and colored glazes in the 11th to 14th century. Rare Persian blues also play a significant role, from the luxurious lapis lazuli and brilliant blue turquoise to the more commonly found cobalt. Locally mined and traded across Islamic lands and the world, rare Persian blues are as precious as gold.
Chinese blue and white porcelain from the Ming dynasty was highly prized and collected by Islamic courts in Iran, Turkey, and India. The exhibition features three extraordinary examples of Chinese blue and white porcelain loaned by the San Antonio Museum of Art. The section “Inspired by China” highlights the creative synthesis seen in 15th- to 17th-century Persian ceramics, which combin
As one of the most well-known historical moments, a Japanese local introduces to Henry the development of Hiroshima since the war at the Atomic Bomb Dome and pays a visit to one of Japan’s most exalted shrines, Itsukushima Shrine. They also explore the hidden pearls of Hiroshima Bay through oyster boat shucking. As their stomach begin to growl, they go ahead to devour the humongous okonomiyaki micky that includes six noodle servings and two cabbages. Riding on the humongous theme, they also check out a giant calligraphy piece produced on an 8m long paper using a large brush with a 30cm long and 15cm wide head. After shopping at Mizuki Shigeru Road and exploring Tottori Beach, they decide to go sea kayaking. They finally end their stay by chartering a boat offshore to watch the ocean-bound aurora where visitors bask in the captivating vision of bluish white waves.