The Pillars of Protection

Healing Power and Concealed Strength: Ao-zumi

MRG-B2100R

Introducing the MRG-B2100R — a special new addition to MR-G, the flagship G-SHOCK line which embodies the ultimate strength and beauty. This beautiful new watch features an octagonal bezel and the distinctive traditional Japanese blue, ao-zumi. The dial design draws inspiration from the traditional Japanese woodworking technique of kigumi, and the color scheme from ao-zumi — a unique blue-tinged shade of ink black created when sumi ink is made by solidifying blue pigment. This hue is often used in Japanese shodo calligraphy and ink wash painting, and it also emerges naturally as black ink takes on a bluish tone over time.

The MRG-B2100R is infused with the quiet strength of ao-zumi, a color cherished in Japanese culture since ancient times. It invites you to explore a worldview where the passage of time only deepens character, for a harmonious blend with the spiritual essence of Japan.

Ao-zumi: A traditional Japanese hue appreciated since ancient times

Ao-zumi is a hue derived from the black sumi ink traditionally used in Japanese calligraphy and suibokuga monochrome ink wash painting. This distinctive blue-gray tone is achieved by incorporating pigments or byproducts from the indigo dye-making process into the ink, and it also emerges naturally as sumi ink ages over time, taking on a subtle bluish tinge. With its subtly gray undertone, ao-zumi lends a refined and nuanced quality to calligraphy and artwork.

Shades of indigo and other blue tones have been a rich source of inspiration in Japan since ancient times. During 17th to 19th centuries, indigo became especially popular, with indigo dyes used to color a wide range of items, from kimono and hand towels to the noren curtains adorning shop entrances.

Fabrics dyed with natural, plant-based indigo are highly resistant to fading, allowing them to retain their beauty over time. This technique was also remarkably practical, giving textiles not only durability but also anti-bacterial and insect-repellent properties.

A proverb attributed to the philosopher Xunzi describes indigo blue as “bluer than the blue” of the indigo plant from which it is derived, using it as a metaphor for a student surpassing their master. This blue also symbolizes how color journeys through time, continually evolving and enduring through generations.

The abundance of indigo-dyed garments in Japan astonished Robert William Atkinson (1850–1929), a British chemist who visited Japan twice during in the late 19th century and served as a professor there. He was so impressed by the hue that he coined the term “Japan Blue.”

Blue is also known as a calming color and is believed to enhance focus. In ancient times, wearing this color may have been seen as a way to inspire oneself or seek healing and comfort.

The way ao-zumi deepens and develops a richer tone over time is a significant factor in its traditional appeal in Japanese calligraphy and ink wash painting. This preference also reflects Japan’s long-standing culture of cherishing and caring for things. Maintaining tools and implements with care is considered a virtue, and blue symbolizes this uniquely Japanese spirit of harmony.

**MRG-B5000BA-1JR: Featuring the ao-zumi motif**

The MRG-B5000, a testament to the evolution and legacy of G-SHOCK, combines the advanced technologies of the MR-G line with the original form G-SHOCK. This watch also features an ao-zumi motif, reflected in the meticulous details of its design. Blue vapor deposition on the sapphire crystal, along with blue ion plating on the bezel components and band pins, evokes the essence of ao-zumi, creating a look and feel of serene elegance.

MRGB5000BA-1

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The essence of Japanese calligraphy and its connection to martial arts

In Japanese shodo calligraphy, the act of creating is imbued with a beauty that transcends the finished work itself. As the calligrapher dips their brush into ink rubbed from an inkstone and lowers it to the paper, every movement is deliberate and graceful. With sleeves rolled up to keep them free from ink, the calligrapher embodies precision and elegance in the sharp yet fluid motions of stopping and sweeping strokes, as if slicing through the air. Each singular brushstroke carries a palpable sense of tension and intense focus, encapsulating the very spirit of shodo and echoing the discipline and concentration found in martial arts.

Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary Japanese swordsman and artist, advocated the importance of studying various disciplines beyond martial arts to master the art of swordsmanship. With a foundation in Zen, Musashi also created numerous remarkable works of calligraphy and ink wash painting. His famous treatise on strategy, Gorin no Sho (“The Book of Five Rings”), reflects his profound spiritual insight and continues to resonate with modern readers, including business professionals, as a timeless guide to strategy and philosophy.

There may be certain shared qualities between the warrior who stakes their life on a fleeting moment of victory and the calligrapher who pours their heart and soul into every stroke of the brush. Both embody an awareness of time’s dual nature — the ephemeral and the eternal. Both possess a quiet, concealed strength. And both follow a path shaped by unwavering conviction and belief.

In a world where the pace of change is ever-accelerating, there is value in things that remain timeless: a blue hue deeply cherished in Japan; refined, traditional craftsmanship. Ao-zumi stands as a crystallization of these enduring facets of Japanese culture.

Designed to resonate with the strength and beauty of ao-zumi, the MRG-B2100R aspires to be a loyal companion to its wearer, embodying a quiet presence that nurtures the spirit and carries forward the essence of Japanese culture for generations to come.

The dial, inspired by the traditional Japanese woodworking technique of kigumi, features a latticework design finished in a blue hue evocative of ao-zumi, embodying Japanese aesthetic sensibilities.

The MRG-B2100R seamlessly blends traditional elegance with G-SHOCK signature durability, for a timepiece that pays homage to Japanese heritage while delivering uncompromising toughness.