Long time no see.
This is Sunouchi from BasShu.
Today I'm announcing BasShu's first in-store event.
Many BasShu fans probably already know about it, right?
We'll be holding a "CULTURE BANK" 60'S GI GLASSES POP UP event this weekend, December 3rd (Sat) and December 4th (Sun), for a limited time!
【CULTURE BANK】60'S GI GLASSES × Sabae Craftsmen POP UP EVENT
Event Dates
Saturday, December 3, 2022 - Sunday, December 4, 2022
Location
BasShu Toritsudaigaku Store
1F, 1-5-19 Yakumo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-0023
TEL: 03-6421-2835
E-MAIL: info@basshu.jp
【Event Details】
We take historically valuable 60's DEAD STOCK frames, meticulously inspect them for quality at Sabae, a world-renowned eyewear production region, and then adjust and finalize the processing of only the passed frames in Japan.
This is a valuable item, finishing precious historical material in Sabae, a world-class eyewear production region in Japan.
We have various sizes available, and it's a rare opportunity to directly hold and choose them while feeling their texture.
The event will be held at BasShu's directly managed store this weekend, December 3rd (Sat) and December 4th (Sun), for a limited two-day period, so please stop by if you have time.
These are items we highly recommend to everyone, whether as glasses or sunglasses.
*On the day, only试戴 will be available; purchases must be made online.
The 1960s GI GLASSES frames discovered in Los Angeles have undergone quality checks and inspections in Sabae, a world-renowned eyewear production region. Only the frames that passed inspection were adjusted and given their final processing in Japan.
The frames are American-made DEAD STOCK, historical primary sources.
Precious historical materials are carefully finished without any irreversible processing.
At this event, we will be showcasing such valuable glasses and holding a trial fitting session at our store 👓
These are rare items that you don't often get to see.
Please take this opportunity to experience them.
*On the day, only试戴 will be available; purchases must be made online.
What are GI GLASSES?
"GI" in military terminology is a slang term for a US Army soldier.
It is an abbreviation for "GOVERNMENT ISSUE," referring to government-issued items.
These were mass-produced models specified by the government for soldiers with poor eyesight.
At the time, leading American eyewear manufacturers were responsible for their production.
Such as American Optical, SHURON, Bausch&Lomb, Harlequin, USS (United States Safety Service.co), Rochester Optical, HALO, and more.
These GI GLASSES were produced during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and are historically valuable as they marked a shift from wire-type frames to cellulose acetate.
This clear gray model ceased production in 1968 and is highly popular as a collector's item. (After '68, the color changed to black, but remaining stock was reportedly still issued.)
Unused deadstock models are reportedly traded for around 50,000 yen, and even more if they are in good condition.
【CULTURE BANK】
We respect the cultures that have emerged throughout human history.
【CULTURE BANK】is a project that visualizes the value of cultural heritage that would otherwise be lost, and by passing these assets on to people, creates a protective environment.
For this pop-up, we have prepared the following models for you to try on.
model: GI GLASSES
type: WELLINGTON
size: S, M
lens color: GREEN
price: ￥32,780 (tax included)
The shape is Wellington with distinctive diamond-shaped rivets, which adds a touch of refinement to the design.
While many recent models feature decorative imitation rivets, these genuinely reinforce the hinges on the back, serving a functional purpose.
To allow those with good eyesight to also participate, we've specially dyed lenses for this project (CULTURE BANK) and productized them as sunglasses. The lens color is vintage green with a visible light transmittance of 81%, faithfully reproducing the atmosphere of colored glasses found in 60's GI GLASSES.
Each frame is hand-dyed by craftsmen to match its aesthetic, and the temples are also carefully crafted based on vintage GI GLASSES.
By replacing the lenses at a specialized store near you, they can, of course, be used as regular glasses.
*The temples (arms) are transparent mock-ups, but the actual product will be the same clear gray as the rim.
*Due to shooting conditions and the monitor environment you are using, the actual color may appear different.
*Sizes may vary slightly between individual items.
*Due to the nature of the product, manufacturing companies may vary between individual items.
*While the finish is like new due to careful reconditioning in Sabae, the rims used are 1960s DEAD STOCK items. Please be aware of this beforehand.
This is a truly rare opportunity to pick up and choose directly.
The event starts this Saturday, December 3rd.
Thank you in advance.
That's all for now