10 Months of Prototyping.

5 Years of Ideas and Experiments.

20 Years of Dreaming.

 

 

◆ The Story

Finally, Ready to Share

For years, I’ve wanted to bring “Urushi” into my watches. After returning to Japan, I collaborated with experienced craftspeople in Kyoto. After 10 months and two rounds of dial prototypes, 7 finished dials are finally ready.

This concept came to me 5 years ago. Its deep brownish-black colour feels perfectly with the patina of dial and character of vintage watches.

For over 20 years, I’ve also dreamed of bringing this Japanese craftsmanship to the world. With these dials, that dream is finally taking shape.

Each dial combines deep brown “Urushi”, “Raden” hour markers made from carefully cut mother-of-pearl, and “Maki-e” lines drawn by hand with “Urushi” and finished with pure 24-karat gold powder.

This is longer than my usual product descriptions. I wrote once almost twice this much text and trimmed it as much as I could. But I still want you to understand how much this project means to me, and to enjoy these watches as pieces of Japanese traditional craft. I hope you’ll stay with me until the end.

 

“Urushi” — 漆 —

 9,000 Years of History

“Urushi” has fascinated me since childhood. Made from the sap of the “Urushi” tree, it has been used in Japan for around 9,000 years, from bowls and chopsticks used every day to some of Japan’s finest works of art.

Japan has many fascinating crafts. Ceramics, textiles, metalwork, woodwork, carpentry and much more. Each has its own techniques, regional character and long connection to everyday life. These crafts are part of my own life too. Among them, “Urushi” has always fascinated me most.

I spent 5 years in Amsterdam, living inside of UNESCO-listed canal district. Seeing historic lacquerwork at the Rijksmuseum, the Dutch national museum in Amsterdam, strengthened my desire to work with it.

 

https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/research/our-research/conservation-science/furniture/lacquer-chest

Tradition and New Expression

Over the past few hundred years, Japanese lacquer artists have developed remarkable techniques and explored new forms of expression.

In Japan, “Shu Ha Ri” — 守破離 — describes how skills develop. “Shu” means faithfully learning the teachings and techniques. “Ha” means exploring other approaches and developing what you have learned. “Ri” means finding your own expression, built on those foundations.

I feel this process in my own work, and I want to embody it through KATABAMI. Working with “Urushi” has made the importance of patience, knowledge and respect for the fundamentals very real to me.

 

◆ The Craft

“Raden”　— 螺鈿 —

 Colour from Shell

“Raden” uses the inner layer of shell and has been part of Japanese lacquerwork for around 1,300 years. On these dials, carefully cut mother-of-pearl forms the numerals and hour markers.

This was especially challenging part. These tiny shapes are different from what the craftspeople usually make. The small bars were challenging to cut, and the numeral numbers were even harder. We worked with 2 different craftspeople and went through 4 prototypes of the inlays before reaching this result.

The “Raden” inlays replace conventional luminous material. Their colours shift with the light and viewing angle.

“Maki-e”　— 蒔絵 —

Lines in Pure Gold

“Maki-e” means “sprinkled painting” and has developed in Japan for around 1,200 years.

The edge lines are drawn by hand in “Urushi” and sprinkled with fine, pure 24-karat gold powder on top of it. Their gold colour comes from the metal itself. Light plays differently across the gold, shell and deep brown lacquer.

Printing could have produced more regular lines, but I wanted them drawn by hand as crafts.

The first 2 prototypes were not quite right. The placement of the lines needed work, and the gold was too bright. We discussed and came up new technique of ways to make the hand-drawn lines more precise, then adjusted their width and the size of gold powder to achieve the subtle tone I wanted. Still not perfectly lined, but that's the beauty of Handmade.

Why Kyoto

While living in Amsterdam, I struggled to find the right materials and knowledge. “Urushi” is one of my favourite Japanese crafts, and I wanted to do this properly, with the quality and respect this tradition deserves.

After returning to Japan, I tried working with “Urushi” myself, with help from craftspeople in Kyoto. Being close to these skills was one of the reasons I returned to Japan, especially Kyoto. So many of these crafts are still alive here.

I’m self-taught in watchmaking, photography and building my website. My way has always been to try, learn and try again. That freedom allows me to create unconventional, sometimes eccentric pieces.

I usually learn quickly and can focus all my time to one project. After several attempts with “Urushi”, though, I realised how much patience and experience it requires.

I decided to work with specialists for this project. They have many experience collaborating with craft brands and contemporary artists. This was not my usual way. But also this is called "Bun-Gyo" in Japan.

One of their beautiful work for famous Japanese contemporary artist

“Bun-Gyo” — 分業 —

The Strength of Specialists

In many Japanese crafts, “Bun-Gyo” — 分業 — means dividing each steps between specialists.

Some specialists devote their careers to just one part of the process, such as drawing only designs or making only hands for dolls and wooden statues. I believe this dedication is part of what gives Japanese crafts their remarkable quality.

For “Urushi” industry, normally 3 big categories of works, 6 to 11 specialists, and over 100 steps.

 

For the first time, I built my project around this tradition.

Different specialists prepared the “Raden”, drew the “Maki-e” lines, and applied and polished the “Urushi”. I bring their work together, complete each watch, and introduce it to customers around the world.

Each person contributes years of experience to their own part of the process. The quality of every stage raises the quality of the finished piece.

 

 

From Prototypes to the Final Finish

After two rounds of dial prototypes, the third achieved the finish I wanted.

The “Urushi” is prepared, filtered, applied, cured and polished using only natural materials. Moisture is needed for curing, temperature and humidity must be carefully controlled.

The coating and polishing cycle is repeated 6 times, followed by 5 stages of final polishing.

 

Beauty That Changes with Your Memories

Although the dials may appear almost black in photographs, they are deep brown and warmer color and feeling in person.

Refined “Urushi” is naturally brown and clear. On these dials, applied 6 layers build the depth and richness of the finish.

Over time, they can develop warmer, more transparent tones. The pace and appearance depend on sunlight, temperature, humidity and how the watch will be worn by you, so each dial will age differently.

Its changing character becomes part of the memories you will make while wearing it.

 

 

◆ The Purpose

Keep Japanese Crafts Alive

Working together also reveals how much these crafts depend on other craftspeople. Beyond the finished object are the people who prepare materials and make specialised tools.

If even one essential skill disappears, or its maker retires without anyone to take over, completing the whole piece can become impossible. The loss of these skills and suppliers is already causing serious concern within Japanese traditional crafts.

I believe these skills need to be used, passed on and supported by work that people value. That is where I hope I can contribute.

In my experience, the depth of this work is still not always understood or valued in Japan. We are so used to high quality at low prices. The time and skill behind it can be underestimated.

Soetsu Yanagi and the “Mingei” movement — 民藝運動 — helped people recognise the beauty and value of everyday objects made by ordinary craftspeople. This effort to help people see the value of handwork continues to matter. 

I feel changing the situation within Japan is difficult. My own way forward is to bring Japanese craftsmanship to people around the world who value it, and help keep these crafts and traditions alive.

 

 

Japan to the World

I run KATABAMI only by myself. I build the watches, photograph them, manage the website, speak with customers, sell the pieces and ship the orders. This lets me develop ideas with specialist craftspeople and share the meaning of their work directly with people around the world.

Your support helped this brand grow from Amsterdam to Kyoto. It gives me the confidence to keep learning, experimenting and creating more ambitious work. And bring to the world.

 

 

Japanese Roots, Global Influences

My roots are Japanese, but my influences come from around the world.

I love Japanese crafts and traditions. I also love European antiques and architecture, the strength and rugged character of American craft, and rugs and lamps from the Arab world.

The woodwork, textiles and inlays of Southeast Asia often feel familiar to me, while having their own distinct character.

I bring these influences into my work, combining Japanese techniques with ideas and forms that connect with people around the world.

 

 

My First Step

This project began with my love of “Urushi”. It is also my first step towards helping keep Japanese craft culture alive through new work.

I want to honour the techniques while giving them new expression, with my own twist. By creating work that people around the world understand, choose and enjoy, I hope to help these skills continue into the future.

This is what I have wanted to do through KATABAMI from the beginning. Finally, I’m ready to bring more of these ideas to life.

 

◆ Orders and Availability

Five Dials Available Now

Only 7 dials have been completed. I will keep 2, I need to enjoy this beauty by myself. So leaving only 5 pieces available

• 2 dials with 3–6–9 numerals

• 3 dials with dot markers

We originally aimed to finish 10 dials, but many technical difficulties left me with 7 completed pieces. Another 1–4 dials may still be completed, but nothing is confirmed yet.

There are no plans for another production run. I have many other projects ahead and need to focus on them.

Please click each URL for checking further informations.

【SOLD】“URUSHI” 3–6–9 No.1 『第一』

https://katabami.jp/products/urushi-3-6-9-no-1

 

 

【SOLD】“URUSHI” 3–6–9 No.2『第二』

 

https://katabami.jp/products/urushi-3-6-9-no-2

 

“URUSHI” Dots No.1『第一』

 

https://katabami.jp/products/urushi-dots-no-1

 

【SOLD】

“URUSHI” Dots No.2『第二』

https://katabami.jp/products/urushi-dots-no-2

【SOLD】“URUSHI” Dots No.3『第三』

https://katabami.jp/products/urushi-dots-no-3

Choose Your Dial, Then Finish Your Watch

The finished dials are kept un-assembled until ordered. Your order secures your chosen dial. Then let's decide the logo style, hands and level of exterior aging together.

For special requests or questions about what is possible, please contact me before ordering.

I want you to enjoy my concept fully. So it's all available as "FullyAged" which has aging on whole case. If you're not big fun of it, I will keep as new as possible. But never without aging on exterior.

All order will be shipped within end of September. I will keep you updated via Instagram message or email.

Thank You for Supporting This First Step

I guarantee the quality and craftsmanship of every watch I make. To everyone supporting this important first step, thank you for your trust.

I hope you’ll enjoy the depth, shine and changing character of “Urushi” over time, and feel connected to the long history of Japanese craftsmanship whenever you wear it.

Arigatou gozaimashita for reading and your time.

If this project helps you remember “Urushi” and the craft behind it, that's all I wanted.