ISETAN MEN'S | ISETAN MEN'S Residence News June 2012 | Father's Day & Kyoto WAKADANNA & New Leica Models

Isetan Men's Residence Newsletter Vol. 42, June 2012 Issue

Promotions Unique to the 8th Floor, Perfect for Yourself or as a Gift

Father's Day, "Kyoto WAKADANNA," and New Leica Releases

June 17th is Father's Day. More and more people are visiting to scout for gifts, or to make their purchases. Seeing daughters agonizing over gifts for their fathers, or families choosing presents together, fills us with a quiet joy as we imagine their family bonds. This time, we offer gift suggestions for Father's Day and introduce our "Kyoto WAKADANNA" promotion.

Text by Mayuko Kuwahara (Isetan Men's Residence)

Father's Day Campaign: Ends Sunday, June 17

"BEST DAD EVER!"
This year, with this phrase as our theme, we present recommended gifts to express your gratitude to your father.

BEST DAD EVER! | Linn
How about gifting the luxury of time spent immersed in music?

We introduce CDs and earphones from Linn, an audio brand favored by the British Royal Family. First, Linn Records CDs. Warm, enveloping female vocals. And the clear, gentle melodies of classical music... why not lose yourself in the natural soundscapes curated by Linn?

Sawano Kobo introduces hidden jazz geniuses to the world. How about a supremely comfortable, mellow, and sweet piano jazz trio? And earphones that turn your smartphone into a high-fidelity player. These compact in-ear (canal type) earphones deliver deep, extended bass and smooth mid-highs, allowing you to enjoy music of any genre.

BEST DAD EVER! | Day Spa
For fathers who always work hard and stay busy, we offer a Father's Day special to help them relax and recover from fatigue!

We can also add a message to the gift card, so why not include your message of gratitude?

BEST DAD EVER! | Smythson
Why not gift items that enrich the moments of writing?

Smythson, a venerable stationery brand with over 120 years of history and a Royal Warrant from the British monarchy.

We present envelopes, letter paper, and leather items like passport holders, all made with their signature fine featherweight paper. Vibrant pink and green leather notebooks are also items any discerning adult would want to own.

BEST DAD EVER! | Nakata Hanger
Nakata Hanger, a specialized manufacturer of wooden hangers founded in 1948, with its workshop in Tomioka City, Hyogo Prefecture.

You can also have your name or a short message engraved. In addition to jacket hangers, tie and belt hangers are also popular gift choices.

"Kyoto WAKADANNA" Promotion: Ongoing Until Tuesday, June 26

Four young masters who inherit Kyoto's esteemed traditional businesses while developing new products with a youthful sensibility, earning high praise at exhibitions in Paris and Milan—— Masataka Hosoo, Takahiro Yagi, Toru Tsuji, and Tatsuyuki Kosuge. We introduce them.

First, why not experience the "tradition" born from their completely new ideas firsthand at our store?

Hosoo
A Nishijin weaving textile and obi manufacturer with 300 years of history. Masataka Hosoo works as the head of new business development. While involved with traditional kimonos and obi by Living National Treasures, he launched the brand HOSOO KYOTO, pioneering Nishijin weaving as a textile. Typically, obi are up to 70 cm wide, but to create HOSOO KYOTO fabrics, he spent over a year developing a loom capable of weaving 150 cm widths. They also handle interior textiles for high-fashion brand boutiques.

For this promotion, they are showcasing cushion covers. Holding these modern textile covers, one can't help but imagine how perfectly they would complement a Cassina leather sofa.

Kanaami Tsuji
Currently, only four traditional wire mesh workshops remain in Kyoto, and Kanaami Tsuji is one of them. Furthermore, they have developed unique techniques such as "Kikudashi" and "Kikko-ami," possessing the highest level of craftsmanship.

Toru Tsuji conceives the ideas, and his father, Kenichi Tsuji, handles the design, resulting in a father-son collaboration that brings traditional Kyoto wire mesh into contemporary lifestyles with new forms. Among the items in this promotion is a tofu strainer for Yudofu (boiled tofu).

One of the pleasures is said to be the shadow cast by the delicate mesh pattern onto the tofu. What an elegant world! I met one of the young masters recently; he was a very cheerful fellow.

Kaikado
A tea caddy manufacturer founded in 1875. Their tea caddies, made from copper, tin, and brass, offer a deepening patina with use. Takahiro Yagi, working under his father who is the fifth-generation owner, has expanded the distribution of tea caddies, previously sold only to tea shops, to overseas markets like London and Taiwan, where tea culture is prevalent. He has also created hit products by devising new items such as coffee and pasta canisters.

During this promotion, you can also view samples of how the different materials age over time. It is said that it takes 30 to 50 years for the silver tin to turn black.

Holding them, one feels a curious sensation, as if imagining one's future self. Why not experience the joy of nurturing materials?

Kōchōsai Kosuga
Since its founding in 1898, the company has continuously produced bamboo crafts. Tatsuyuki Kosuga joined Kōchōsai Kosuga, where his father serves as president, six years ago and is now curating a new range of bamboo products. Without resting on tradition, they utilize their accumulated techniques to create products suited for contemporary life.

Among the items featured in this promotion is a vase with a truly elegant presence. Prices range from relatively affordable options to pieces over 100,000 yen created by master artisans, so please come and see them.

New Leica Camera Sales Promotion

Leica, a German optics manufacturer with over 100 years of history, first introduced the 35mm camera to the world in 1925 as Leitz. Since then, they have consistently delivered uncompromising optical and mechanical performance. This time, we are pleased to offer an early look at new products announced in Berlin, Germany, on May 10th.

The highly anticipated monochrome-only digital camera, the "M Monochrom," and the lens "Leica APO-Summicron-M f50/2.0 ASPH," renowned for its ability to capture exceptionally sharp details in any situation.

From the X series, the "X2," a top-tier compact digital camera, an upgrade from the X1. And from the V series, the "V-LUX40," featuring a compact body with a 20x optical zoom, capable of flexibly adapting to various shooting conditions. Please take this opportunity to see Leica's new products, which have rewritten the history of photography through numerous groundbreaking innovations.

*The "M Monochrom" and "Leica APO-Summicron-M f50/2.0 ASPH" are not yet released, but we are accepting pre-orders.

The "Kyoto WAKADANNA" promotion is fascinating. Please come and experience it firsthand! I believe you will enjoy it whether for yourself or as a gift.
We look forward to seeing you on the 8th floor this month.

Isetan Shinjuku Store Men's Building 8F
Isetan Men's Residence
Tel. 03-3352-1111 (Main Operator)