Seiko Presage Automatic Power Reserve Limited Edition SPB329J1

The Presage Sharp Edged Series adapts the traditional Japanese art of kabuki theater into the modern age.
Since its launch in 2020, the creative marriage of Japanese culture and modern design has been a central feature of the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series. Two new creations enrich this series and pay homage to the longevity of kabuki theater. These watches were designed in collaboration with Ebizo Ichikawa, one of Japan's most famous and influential kabuki actors.

The reddish-brown color of the dial is known as kakiiro, a traditional Japanese color that has its origins in the Ichikawa family, who first used it in their kabuki costumes generations ago. Even today, kakiiro is a popular kabuki color.

The Kakiiro dial features a color gradation that creates a unique sharpness and depth. The edge of the dial is kept in a darker shade so that the gold-colored hands and indexes stand out clearly.
The watches are offered with a leather strap, the back of which is also made of kakiiro. This is a subtle nod to the Edo period, when it was forbidden to wear bright colors in public and so they were only used on the back of garments.
Photo of the Kabuki stage
The dials feature the Japanese hemp leaf pattern, Asanoha, which has been used on the fabrics of kabuki costumes for centuries. Thanks in no small part to the popularity and influence of kabuki actors, the asanoha pattern has long been popular in Japanese fashion and design.

*Kabuki is a dramatic theater form that combines music and dance and is one of the traditional Japanese performing arts par excellence. It enjoys great popularity and has always reflected the taste and fashion of city dwellers. With a history stretching back over 400 years, this male-only form of theater has an extensive repertoire that is still performed, ranging from old plays hundreds of years old to brand new theatrical experiments.