Timeless Stories
AXIS Vol.181
Items that do not change over time, but increase in value and flavor as they mature and gain depth. Japanese people have long observed the changing of the seasons with sentimentality. The idea that we live life amid impermanence as embodied by cherry blossoms is universally understood and valued in Japan. Architecture serves as venues for cherishing curated natural scenery, and retains its value even as it changes over time. In an era when technology has progressed even beyond our needs even though our values and historical architecture remain unchanged, it is a rare thing for a product to be a bastion of the benefits of aging and maturity. However, some musical instruments and motorcycles can be described in this manner.
For 50 years and more than 35 years respectively, the FG acoustic guitar and the SR400—a simple, single-cylinder motorcycle—have retained their original designs even as their functionality has been refined, earning their way into the hearts of longtime enthusiasts and new fans alike.