I've been worrying over the ichikawa jacques marie mage frames intended for a while right now, mostly because they have the ability to feel both incredibly modern plus totally rooted within the past. In case you're familiar with Jacques Marie Mage (JMM), you understand they don't actually do "subtle. " They do strong, they actually heavy, and they do historical. But the Ichikawa, which is component of their Kyosho series, feels like it hits an alternative be aware than a selection of their even more aggressive designs. It's a tribute to the legendary Japanese film director Kon Ichikawa, and honestly, you can experience that cinematic influence the moment you pick them up.
When you first hold a set of these glasses, the is the particular first thing that will grabs you. We aren't talking about those flimsy cable frames you discover at the mall. These are constructed from 10mm thick cured cellulose acetate. It sounds specialized, but in basic English, it simply means they experience substantial. There's the presence for them that will most eyewear manufacturers just can't replicate. It's the type of accessory that will doesn't just sit on your face; it defines your own whole search for the day.
The Connection to Kon Ichikawa
It's worth talking about the reason why this frame also exists. Jacques Marie Mage is famous for its inspirations—they don't just choose names out associated with a hat. Simply by naming this framework the Ichikawa, they're nodding to the man who essentially redefined how Japanese cinema looked in the mid-20th century. Kon Ichikawa had been known for getting a bit of a perfectionist along with his visuals, blending a traditional Japanese aesthetic with something much more avant-garde and experimental.
The ichikawa jacques marie mage frames reflect that will perfectly. They have this structured, almost architectural shape that will feels very disciplined, but there's a softness in the way the particular edges are beveled. If you've seen Ichikawa's Tokyo Olympiad or his various noir movies, you know he loved a strong graphic line. These types of glasses are basically a graphic range for the face. It's a means of wearing a piece of film background without looking like you're within an outfit.
Design Information That Actually Matter
I believe what sets JMM apart—and the Ichikawa specifically—is that these people don't take shortcuts. Most brands would certainly just slap a logo on the side and call it a day. With these, the logo isn't even the point. In fact, you won't find a substantial "JMM" logo anyplace on the outside. It's almost all about the personal hardware.
You've got those 18k gold or sterling silver arrowhead top pins that have got end up being the brand's calling card. On the particular Ichikawa, they remain out beautifully contrary to the thick acetate. Then there's the custom made hidden hinge. It's a tension-secured custom hinge with spur-shaped rivets. Again, noises fancy, but the particular result is the pair of glasses that feels like it might survive a car crash. The temples (the hands of the glasses) often feature a wire core that has intricate decoration, which you may see if you opt for one associated with the more clear colorways.
The shape itself is the modified rectangle with a slight "television" lens vibe. It's not a sharp, pointy rectangle, but it's got enough corner to give a few definition to your face. If a person have a rounder face and generally struggle to discover frames that give you some construction, these are probably going to be your new closest friend.
Why the Kyosho Series differs
The "Kyosho" series, which includes the particular Ichikawa, is JMM's way of honoring the "grandmasters" of Japanese culture. Mainly because of this, these frames often sense a bit even more refined than their particular Western-inspired counterparts such as the Dealan or maybe the Molino. While the Dealan is most about that 1960s Bob Dylan rock-and-roll edge, the ichikawa jacques marie mage feels more like the intellectual within the room.
It's the kind of frame you use when you would like to appear like you've read everything within the library yet you're also amazing enough to possess a vintage motorcycle. There's a balance of "smart" and "tough" which is really tough to pull away from, but JMM appears to do it effortlessly here.
The Limited Version Hustle
Let's be real for a second: part of the draw here is definitely the exclusivity. Jacques Marie Mage doesn't mass-produce anything. Every colorway from the Ichikawa is manufactured in a limited run—usually anywhere from 100 to five hundred pieces worldwide. As soon as they're gone, they're gone.
Each pair will be individually numbered on the inside of the temple. There's something undeniably great about knowing you're wearing number 42 out of 300. Much more the purchase feel less such as a "buy" plus more like a good "acquisition. " I've seen people move down total bunny holes looking for the specific colorway from the previous season on the secondary market, often paying way above retail because these people just have to have that will specific shade associated with "Agar" or "Noir. "
Just how They Appear upon Your Face
You'd think that will 10mm of acetate would be heavy and uncomfortable, but the particular engineering is in fact fairly clever. They sense of balance the weight well. The bridge is usually sculpted in the way that this sits firmly around the nose without pinching. That said, when you're used in order to weightless titanium structures, you're going to notice these. You don't forget you're wearing an ichikawa jacques marie mage .
But that's kind of the point, isn't it? It's like wearing the heavy mechanical watch. You need to feel the particular craftsmanship. You would like that will tactile reminder that will you're wearing some thing substantial. After a day or two, your own face adjusts, and everything else you try on starts in order to feel like a toy in comparison.
Styling the Ichikawa
One particular of the best things about these structures is their flexibility. Even though they're "bold, " they aren't "loud" in the tacky way. A person can wear all of them with a tailored suit and look such as a high-end builder, or you can wear them with a plain white t-shirt and jeans and look like you tried way harder than you really did.
The colorways actually dictate the vibe. In case you go along with the classic Noir (black), you're obtaining the most flexible version. It's timeless. But JMM is also famous for their particular "Havana" and "Vintage Tort" patterns. Their particular "Burgundy" or "Marquina" colors are also incredible simply because they appear almost black within low light but reveal these deep, rich red colors when the sun hits them. When you're getting the ichikawa jacques marie mage , I'd suggest looking at among the translucent colors to really see that internal wire-core engraving. It's a detail you'll appreciate every period you set them down on a table.
Will be It Worth the particular Investment?
I know, the cost tag on these types of can be a bit of a gut-punch. We're speaking several hundred bucks, sometimes creeping towards a thousand depending on the lens tech and the specific edition. Yet if you look at how they're made—the hand-polishing in Japan, the precious metal hardware, the sheer quality of the acetate—it starts in order to make sense.
Most glasses are made within giant factories simply by the millions. These are made within small workshops by individuals who have been carrying out this for decades. It's the difference between a fast-fashion coat and a bespoke coat. If you're the type of person who values "buy as soon as, cry once, " then the ichikawa jacques marie mage is precisely that. You aren't should retain another pair of black structures for 10 years because these are constructed to last that long, both actually and stylistically.
Final Thoughts
At the finish of the day time, eyewear is the initial thing people observe about you. It's right there upon your face. It's the centerpiece associated with your identity to the outside world. Selecting something like the ichikawa jacques marie mage states a great deal about your own appreciation for art and history. It's a "if a person know, you know" kind of brand. You won't get shouted at in the street by people who acknowledge the logo, but you will certainly have people ask yourself, "Where did you will get these? "
They're confident, they're historic, and they're extremely well-made. If you've been on the fencing about jumping straight into the world associated with Jacques Marie Mage, the Ichikawa is a fantastic place to begin. It's a little more "wearable" than a selection of their wilder shapes, however it doesn't sacrifice one of the soul that makes the brand what this is. Just be careful—once you buy one pair of JMMs, it's a very slippery slope to owning five.