Tag Archives: Tokujin-Yoshioka

Transparent Issey Miyake WATCH designed by Tokujin Yoshioka celebrates a decade of the brand’s signature timepiece

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Japanese designer and artist, Tokujin Yoshioka released a water-shaped timepiece way back in 2011 revolving around the idea of “shape of water – transparent time.” Now, more than a decade later, the creative artist has crafted an updated signature wristwatch for Issey Miyake WATCH to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a signature timepiece.

Dubbed O-Bold, the watch is an ode to transparent look of the “O” watch series. Both in the name (which is the French word for water i.e., “eau”) and form, the timepiece carries natural appeal of one of the most important elements on the planet.

Designer: Issey Miyake WATCH

According to Issey Miyake WATCH, the O series subtly marks the “passage of time as if it were encapsulated inside.” All these years, the collection has dynamically evolved in an array of colors and variants. This revisited version of the series by Tokujin is specifically defined as ‘Bold & Fit’ – with quite a few simple changes to distinguish it from the inspiration. First up, the bangle has a broader form to amplify the transparent look. To balance it out, the wrist diameter has shrunk to fit watch enthusiasts with thinner wrists.

The biggest advantage of this model is its lightweight design that is high on comfort. So much so, that Issey Miyake WATCH believes O-Bold will actually make you “forget you are wearing it.” The minimalistic timepiece seems as if it encapsulates time as a body of formless liquid. For those who care about the specifications, the see-through watch is water resistant up to 100 feet and has a battery life of almost three years.

This exclusive timepiece is going to be up for grabs starting April 4, 2023, in two color options – “Smoked” and “Clear.” Given its unique aesthetics and the fact that an acclaimed artist (who designed the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Torch) has crafted this one, the meager price tag of ¥22,000 JPY (approximately $167) is worth every penny. The watch can be bought from online stores and select retailers in the first week of next month.

The post Transparent Issey Miyake WATCH designed by Tokujin Yoshioka celebrates a decade of the brand’s signature timepiece first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch takes inspiration from Japanese cherry blossoms

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The Sakura, or the Cherry Blossom holds an iconic role in Japanese culture, finding its firmly rooted place in Japanese tradition, art, outdoor spaces, music, manga, anime, and film. It now finds itself as the inspiration source for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch.

The torch, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka, pays tribute to the flower that literally covers the country in a pool of pink every spring. Made from extruded aluminum, the torch comes with a pipe-shaped design that branches out into five outward truncated sections to form the motif of the Sakura cherry blossom – the traditional flower of Japan – when viewed from above. The torch comes with a rose-gold tint too, to complete its appearance, giving the torch a pink hue, just like the blush-colored flower.

The torch comes made from recycled metal used in the temporary housing units that were created post the aftermath of the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Olympic medals are also being made recycled metal too, obtained from electronic waste across the country.

Yoshioka claims that the recycled nature of the torch was a way of “transforming materials that witnessed the rebuilding of shattered lives into a symbol of peace,” according to the creator, “to convey to the world the extent to which the affected areas are recovering, one step at a time.”

The release of the torch design is also coincidentally timed perfectly with the beginning of spring, and the blooming of the cherry blossoms all across the country.

Designer: Tokujin Yoshioka