The Helm to Treasure Island is in Your Hands

The "Treasure Grip for Leica M" in sterling silver is a piece created by JAY TSUJIMURA × Map Camera as an homage to Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, *Treasure Island*. Why *Treasure Island*? Because we adults love adventure. And because we want to remain curious adults with a childlike spirit, no matter our age.

Have you read the story of *Treasure Island*? I thought to myself... the world seen through the viewfinder of my beloved Leica is truly a treasure island of excitement and thrills. Your shutter opportunities are priceless treasures.

The ship of this story is Leica. It's a ship heading for Treasure Island. And you are the protagonist, Jim. The "Treasure Grip for Leica M" is the helm that controls the ship's direction.

Doesn't the act of firmly gripping the helm to search for treasure bear a resemblance to holding a Leica and searching for a photo opportunity? The act of taking a photograph, of pressing the shutter, is akin to the passion and emotion of a boy earnestly searching for hidden pirate treasure.

On the underside of the hot shoe mount, we've engraved a line from *Treasure Island*: "and he's all the pride of my 'art."

Furthermore, on the back of the "Treasure Grip for Leica M," you'll find these words: "Capture a minute part of reality!!" When one thinks of Leica, of shutter opportunities... one thinks of Mr. Bresson. This is a quote from Henri Cartier-Bresson.

The Treasure Grip for Leica M: The Helm That Will Take You to Treasure Island

Beyond its functional ability to allow one-handed holding of the Leica, the entire form is organic, with three-dimensional floral and laurel motifs blended together, and each leaf meticulously hand-carved in the original mold.

The florals represent the vigorous life force of plants and the elegance of supple curves, while the laurel leaves, crafted to flow through the gaps, were symbols of eternal love in ancient Greek mythology and of victory and glory in the Roman Empire.

To further enhance your enjoyment of the "Treasure Grip for Leica M," we've also created a soft-release button, the "Treasure Button."

This endearing, slightly goofy-faced skull is an homage to the pirate flag depicted on the cover of the 1911 edition of *Treasure Island*. This soft-release button is actually shaped like a compass, essential for finding treasure island. It too is intricately crafted in three dimensions, with the skull portion slightly recessed to make pressing the shutter easier.




The culmination of JAY TSUJIMURA's 25 years of creative work

What do you think? Doesn't it make you want to go in search of treasure island with the "Treasure Grip for Leica M" and "Treasure Button" attached to your Leica? The "Treasure Grip for Leica M" is also the culmination of JAY TSUJIMURA's 25 years of creative work. This is a limited edition item sold exclusively at "Map Camera" in Shinjuku. Don't miss this opportunity.

And on the viewfinder side of the "Treasure Grip for Leica M," within the circular opening of the floral design, you'll find the hidden letters H, A, P, P, Y, J. We engraved this message hoping you'll remember "HAPPY" before you even raise your Leica.

And one more thing. We really hope you won't... but we'll tell you anyway. Hidden beneath the natural rubber for scratch prevention, on the inside of the "Treasure Grip for Leica M," there's another message.

It's engraved with JAY TSUJIMURA's formula for happiness: "LOVE + PEACE + JOY = HAPPINESS." But no matter how much you want to see it, please don't ever peel it off!

Treasure Grip for Leica M
Release Date | December 22 (Monday)
Price | ¥162,000
Quantity | Limited 30 units / 10 units for advance limited sale (starting on the 22nd)
Material | Sterling Silver

Map Camera
Tel. 03-3342-3381
https://www.mapcamera.com/
Special Page
https://www.mapcamera.com/html/jay_tsujimura/treasure_grip.html

JAY TSUJIMURA
www.shopjay.com