Exploring the
Japanese cultural
appreciation
of time
In Japan we say
ICHI-GO-ICHI-E.
Meaning “once in a lifetime”.
For every moment is precious.
Fleeting.
And unrepeatable.
Seiko’s film THE GIFT OF TIME
celebrates this special relationship with Time.
To extend and enhance the experience of viewing it,
we invited the celebrated architect Kengo Kuma
to create a once in a lifetime Tea House
in the garden of The Ritz Paris.
Within this sacred space,
guests were invited to become immersed in the tea ceremony,
appreciating time for themselves.
At the heart of the tea tradition
is a deep care for this present moment.
Through the tea master’s movements,
the scent of incense,
the sound of boiling water,
and the rhythm of the whisk,
Time is cherished.
We sip this moment with profound gratitude.
And a reunion with the present is achieved.
During this unique event,
we welcomed the precious,
fleeting and unrepeatable.
Taking this chance to pause and savor
what THE GIFT OF TIME means to each of us.
Kengo Kuma
“The Japanese tea house (“chashitsu”) is an architecture dedicated to the Theme of Time.
To be honest, it is the world’s only architecture designed to sense the flow of time.
I have explored the essence of this traditional space into a simple,
modular design—a tea house that flows
through time itself.
I believe this undoubtedly resonates with the philosophy of
Seiko / Grand Seiko.”
Profile He is currently a University Professor and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo
following teaching assignments at both Keio University and the University of Tokyo.
KKAA projects are currently underway in more than 50 countries.
Kengo Kuma envisions architecture that opens up new relationships between
Nature, technology, and human beings.
Event Overview
Date：October 07, 2025
Place：Ritz Paris,
15 Place Vendôme 75001 Paris, France
