WELCOME TO THE MOTHER SHIP

A three-story testament to design and devotion, the new gallery embodies a distinctly Japanese expression of JMM’s global vision, showcasing our signature selection of limited-edition eyewear, leather goods and jewelry within an immersive setting of artworks and artefacts that honor the country’s enduring legacy of craftsmanship and refinement.

“The concepts of Kaizen and Takumi—the ways of constant improvement and masterful artisanship—have been central to JMM since the very beginning,” says founder and creative director Jérôme Mage. “While our galleries in London and Paris explored opulence and heritage, for Tokyo we’ve embraced a minimalist, meditative approach—one that reflects our reverence for Japanese tradition.”

To bring this vision to life, JMM collaborated with Simplicity, a multidisciplinary design firm  founded by Shinichiro Ogata that is celebrated for integrating architecture, interior design, and the ceremonial arts of Japanese cuisine, tea, and wagashi. 

“The essence of JMM’s craft lies in Japanese artisanship,” explains Ogata. “Using wa–yō setchū (a blending of Japanese and Western sensibilities) and shokuninsei (craftsmanship) as keywords, we translated these into the design. The result is a serene and storied space that fuses historical depth with contemporary relevance.”

Upon entry, collectors are greeted by the “Mother Ship” gallery, enveloped in walls and floors of Hinoki (Japanese cypress)—a sacred and protected material—leading to a monumental calligraphic artwork by Daichiro Shinjo, grandson of distinguished monk Keisho Okamoto. Drawing from Zen Buddhism and Okinawan spiritual traditions, Shinjo’s work offers a modern reinterpretation of traditional Japanese calligraphy.

Beyond this threshold lies a refined consultation room, where vintage rugs and furnishings are paired with a presidential desk by long-time collaborators Hervet Manufacturier. As with all JMM galleries, Hervet’s handcrafted rare-wood furnishings bring sculptural gravitas and handcrafted detail to the interior’s rhythm.

Ascending to the second floor, guests pass through a tranquil outdoor terrace before arriving at spaces dedicated to JMM’s Jewelry and Made-to-Measure programs. Here, collectors are invited to sip Japanese whisky at a bespoke bar anchored by a six-panel painted screen dating from the late Edo period (circa 1850). 

The atmosphere evokes the intimacy of a private residence, blending inspirations from the American West, French First Empire, and Japanese history. Among the museum-quality displays: 13th-century Ō-yoroi samurai armor, 19th-century clay dragons, a collection of rare Noh theater masks, and meditation stones—thoughtfully juxtaposed with Navajo rugs, vintage Italian seating, and a wall of optical instruments from 17th-century Europe.

“The second floor was imagined as the captain’s cabin, filled with Mr. Mage’s curiosities,” says Ogata of Simplicity “Antique artworks, furniture, books, and objects convey the seeds of JMM’s designs.” While “the lower level was envisioned as the heart of craftsmanship, like the engine room of a ship. It contains an atelier where eyewear is finished for each individual customer, and the solid wood counter provides a place for the customer to converse quietly and slowly with the chosen frame.” 

Indeed, after taking a meditative pause by the Zen rock garden with a Japanese maple, collectors can partake in tea and wagashi. Nearby, a second artwork by Daichiro Shinjo adds yet another poetic note to this journey through time and sensibility.

The Omotesandō-Tokyo Gallery embodies a distinctly Japanese expression of JMM’s global vision—a refined harmony of heritage and innovation, an invitation to embrace  artisanship and aesthetic contemplation.