Stories you’ll definitely want to share with someone.
JAM HOME MADE is celebrating its 27th anniversary since its founding in 1998.
From the moment the brand was born until today, we have created countless products and have been supported by so many wonderful customers.
Behind each of these vast items lies a hidden "Unchiku"—in other words, a "Concept." Because these are "products closest to the skin," they are accompanied by thoughtfulness and smiles. We want to continue delivering such products to our customers.
On the occasion of our 27th anniversary, we are launching a new column to share the thoughts and stories JAM HOME MADE pours into its beloved products. If you have a moment, please take a look. UNCHIKU: THE STORIES BEHIND JAM HOME MADE
As a side note, the Japanese kanji for "Unchiku" (薀蓄) consists of a total of 29 strokes.
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≪Vol. 6≫ Speaking of JAM, you can't overlook this <Eyelet> 
From leather goods to bags.
This eyelet, which defines the aesthetic of various JAM HOME MADE items, was born in 2000 as a grommet part for attaching wallet chains.
To eliminate the annoyance of twisting and tangling that occurs when using a chain, it was developed as the industry's first specification that rotates 360°.
Rather than being made by standard pressing, this eyelet is produced using "machining"—a precision cutting technique typically used for industrial products like screws that require extreme accuracy.
Furthermore, by making the double-ring portion out of iron for increased strength and flattening the back to reduce friction against the leather, the design balances a simple, sharp look with stress-free functionality that prioritizes the user. 
Additionally, a birthstone is set on the back of the eyelet part.
Gemstones have long held the meaning of an amulet or charm for people. This led to the innovative idea of "attaching a gemstone to a wallet" so that one can always carry that power. 
Born from such an idea, this part has come to be recognized over 20 years as a design hallmark of the brand and has been incorporated into over 1,000 different product models.
"Design and functionality must coexist. The pursuit of functionality leads to the essential value of design."
This conviction of Director Masui regarding design means that one form of success in design is to contemplate the essence of a product and provide it with functionality beyond what is originally expected.
This is both a form of kindness toward people—wishing them a comfortable life—and a form of kindness toward objects—wishing for them to be used and cherished for a long time.
JAM HOME MADE PRESS
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≪Vol. 5≫ The overlooked but exceptional <COMMODITY> series 
JAM HOME MADE’s <COMMODITY> series brilliantly evolves familiar everyday objects.
Universal, practical, and minimal. These perfected designs are inseparable from people's daily lives; they are irreplaceable presences that are always nearby, even if they go unnoticed.
Now, new additions have arrived in the <COMMODITY> series.
In line with the 2019 A/W Collection <VAPOR WAVE>, the theme is VAPOR = Steam = Sento (public baths/saunas).
It might seem a bit forced, but JAM HOME MADE’s Director Masui has long followed a lifestyle of visiting public baths before work to reset in the sauna and devote himself to design in peak condition. In modern terms, he is a major "sauna enthusiast."
This "Sauna enthusiast Masui" focused on three things this time: the "Plug," the "Band," and the "Hook." 
The "Plug" is exactly that thing you see in baths and sinks.
Well-used plugs often lose their original shine and become clouded by chlorine. Though the rubber head and ball chain are excellent designs that can be used for decades, they are often treated roughly.
In homage to the "Plug," we have evolved it brilliantly using Sterling Silver 925.
This item, which can be worn as a necklace, can also be used as a stopper for PET bottles or liquor bottles. (*Due to its design, it cannot provide an airtight seal.) 
For the "Band," we created rings and bangles modeled after the hose clamps used to fix hoses to faucets.
Once tightened, these bands are rarely touched until the hose is replaced—a lonely existence.
We replaced the 360-degree rotating screw function with JAM’s icon, the <Eyelet>, evolving it into a playful item that can be worn while carrying keys or other attachments. 
The "Hook" has been developed into earrings inspired by "Heaton" (screw eyes) and "Yoto" (cup hooks) used as simple fasteners.
Originally, "Heaton" were fasteners made for hanging picture frames, and the ?-shaped "Yoto" (meaning "Western lamp hanger") were for hanging chandeliers.
Whether it's an old-fashioned toilet lock or a hook screwed into a wall that once held something up, these hooks are multi-players that excel in utility. Despite being indispensable in many situations, they have a somewhat faint impression.
We have reborn the unique, functional beauty of these solitary hooks directly into jewelry designs.
JAM HOME MADE PRESS
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≪Vol. 4≫ The hidden duality of the "Skull Ring"
JAM HOME MADE’s original skull ring was born 13 years ago in 2006. It was first created to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the flagship store's opening.
While the skull is a staple motif in men's accessories and JAM has a strong "JAM = Skull" image, its history is surprisingly short. However, since then, variations have increased through numerous collections and collaborations, and today the lineup exceeds 50 types in rings alone. 
Z DIAMOND CHAOS RING (2007)
The thoughts embedded in such a skull ring.
Originally, "skull motifs," including skull rings, often carry the sentiment of "Memento Mori," and JAM’s skull series also expresses this concept.
"Memento Mori" is a Latin teaching that means "Remember that you will die, so do not forget that and enjoy the life you are living now." It doesn't view "death" as something to fear, but rather emphasizes a positive and proactive mindset toward our limited life.
Additionally, the "skull motif" can also symbolize an anti-discrimination stance: "Under the skin, every human looks the same."
But JAM's skulls contain one more special sentiment.
That is the tiny skull hidden on the inside of the ring. 
This is a JAM HOME MADE original concept: "People always have two sides." For example, "Someone who acts cheerful in front of everyone might be quite quiet once they get home." This is a simple way to put it, but at its heart, it is a concept that hints at the belief that "if you are only obsessed with outward appearances, you cannot see through to the inner self."
At first glance, skull motifs are often thought of as "having a rough impression," "not appealing to the opposite sex," or "I'm not really into rock or punk." However, the skull is a motif that allows each individual to embed their own diverse and unique thoughts.
We believe it will surely play a role not only as a fashion statement but also as a charm for viewing life positively.
JAM HOME MADE PRESS
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≪Vol. 3≫ "Chopped & Screwed" musical techniques applied to accessories. 
JAM HOME MADE’s recently released "Vaporwave" series.
The term "Vaporwave" might be unfamiliar, but it is actually a musical genre said to have influenced some of the graphics we see daily and music we’ve somehow heard before.
To dig a little deeper, "Vaporwave" is a music genre born from online communities in the early 2010s, symbolizing the age of mature internet culture. It primarily samples songs from the 1980s and 90s, using a technique called "Chopped & Screwed" to pitch them down and loop specific phrases.
The works have no concrete message; there is simply a nostalgia for established concepts. By creating songs by collaging waste materials that have already been discarded in large quantities, the music is turned into pop art, and an underground expression is used that even makes the original work feel nostalgic.
It is a culture and movement that has influenced not only music but also artwork and fashion fields that use products and popular culture from the 80s and 90s as motifs.
Setting aside the complicated explanation of "Vaporwave," JAM HOME MADE has developed many items with motifs and concepts related to music, such as the "POST PUNK" series in recent years.
In the current "Vaporwave" collection, we have focused on this music genre—said to be rooted in the 80s city pop culture that is currently seeing a resurgence—and incorporated the "Chopped & Screwed" technique of the songs into each accessory.
The motifs are based on the artwork and backgrounds of representative "Vaporwave" tracks.
Each piece has been subjected to a seemingly "pointless" Chopped & Screwed process. By ignoring the conventional concepts of accessories, as is typical of this genre's style, the result expresses new possibilities.
The "Vaporwave" series is a collection like high-saturation pop art. When you hold them in your hand, you will surely feel more nostalgia than with any other accessory.
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≪Vol. 2≫ JAM RING —Form of Love = Previous life and the afterlife—
It was exactly 10 years ago in 2009 when we announced the <JAM RING> under the theme of "SHARE." Over these 10 years, the word "SHARE" has become an essential part of our daily vocabulary.
This is because services such as car sharing, office sharing, and house sharing have emerged, alongside sharing information on social media, making the use of "SHARE" common in all aspects of life.
The act of dividing or sharing one thing among many will likely develop even more casually in the future.
However, <JAM RING> goes against this trend, returning to the essential meaning of the word "SHARE" to express the ultimate form of love. 
<JAM RING> is designed to represent the "pre-existence" (past life) form before it becomes a ring. In other words, if it were curry rice, it would be the design of the spices and meat themselves before they become curry rice.
In the terms of a deeply-in-love couple: "We must have been together in our past lives. So please stay with me for the rest of our lives. And let's be together in the next life, too."
JAM HOME MADE Director Masui is a romantic, so he turned these words into a physical form.
The <JAM RING> is the ultimate ring exchanged by two people from different backgrounds and values who meet by fate and vow eternal love. At the time of its announcement 10 years ago, it was a ring shape meaning "Circle = En (Connection/Fate)," but this new work takes the "Heart" shape to express the form of love even more simply. 
A special heart shape, created by choosing preferred shapes and widths from a rich variety, is reborn into a unique wedding ring for the two people with no spare in existence.
The "Heart" wedding ring is the "previous life" that gave form to the love of two people.
The bridal jewelry envisioned by JAM HOME MADE focuses not only on the comfort and functional beauty important for jewelry worn at all times but also on bringing the couple's feelings to the surface.
By creating mechanisms that make the time spent together more profound, feelings will deepen, take shape, and be strongly engraved in the heart.
By designing even the environment itself, JAM HOME MADE bridal rings create a witty originality unlike any other.
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≪Vol. 1≫ NEW TYPE —The reason for subtly expressing blood types—
Accessories with a "Blood Type" motif were born in 2004. A lineage inherited from ancestors is proof of family connection.
By wearing these accessories, we want people to feel the "lineage connection" that is often not consciously thought about, and we hope that this lineage will continue to connect with family and lovers far into the future. This accessory series was born from such thoughts.
At first glance, they look like simple, delicate silver accessories that all appear the same, but the blood type motif is found in the item's "cross-section."
Since the "cross-section" of the accessory is shaped like the letters A, B, O, or AB, subtle differences appear in the appearance of each.
By the way, this "Blood Type" series originally branched off from the BRIDAL line. Director Masui continues to create this series with the same passion he had back then.
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"An eternal pledge to be passed to future generations, exchanged by two people of different blood types."
Originally, marriage rings were supposed to have the same structure. But that is merely a visual connection.
NEW TYPE is a wedding ring that represents a couple who are joined in the true sense of the word. The hand-crafted cross-section is shaped like the letters of the four blood types.
When a man and a woman with different blood flowing through them exchange an eternal pledge, new blood is born in the descendants they produce, and that is what marriage is—leaving a legacy for future generations.
By wearing a ring of your partner's blood type, you carry the lineage inherited from your ancestors on your finger. We want you to be conscious of continuing that connection.
It is filled with such thoughts.
Here is a message from JAM HOME MADE that has changed the inherent values of pair rings.
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In conjunction with the release of the new <NEW TYPE> series, we conducted a "Survey on Blood Types."
While various survey results came out, the most surprising was that many people answered, "Even if I could change my blood type, I would want to be my current blood type." Precisely because it is something inherited from ancestors, it may be a point of pride regardless of what others say.
The survey and results are as follows. Blood type talk can be a sensitive topic for many, but the fact remains that it is a proud element that helps build self-confidence. Please exchange them with your loved one and feel a connection that goes beyond actions and words.
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[Survey on Blood Types] Beware of "Bura-hara" (Blood type harassment)! 1 in 2 people dislike blood type talk! "The blood type people least want to be called is Type B!" It turns out Type B individuals themselves don't want to be told they are Type B! ~ Do you want to guess someone's blood type? Announcing the ranking of easiest/hardest blood types to guess ~
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A nationwide internet survey on "Blood Types" was conducted among 600 men and women in their 20s to 40s.
≪Summary of Survey Results≫ ① The #1 ranking for "Liking my own blood type" is Type O! Type B came in last.
② 1 in 2 people answered that their blood type has been guessed correctly! By "Blood Type x Gender," Type A women are the easiest to guess, and Type AB men are the hardest!
③ It turns out that 1 in 2 people dislike blood type talk!
④ The blood type people least want to be called is Type B! Even Type B individuals themselves don't want to be called Type B. In particular, 41.2% of Type B men don't want to be called that.
⑤ It turns out that even if they could change their blood type, people would still want to be their own blood type!
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① Type O ranks #1 for "Liking my own blood type"! Type B is last.
When asked if they liked their own blood type, the highest percentage of those who answered "Yes" was Type O (83.6%), followed by Type A (77.3%) in 2nd, Type AB (69.8%) in 3rd, and Type B (61.7%) in 4th. 
② 1 in 2 people have had their blood type guessed correctly! "Blood Type x Gender" reveal Type A women are easiest to guess, and Type AB men are hardest!
When asked if people guess their blood type correctly, 1 in 2 people answered that they have been guessed correctly. Looking at "Blood Type x Gender," the easiest to guess were 1st: Type A women (63.5%), 2nd: Type O women (61.4%), and 3rd: Type A men (54.2%). The hardest to guess were 1st: Type AB men (82.1%), 2nd: Type AB women (56.0%), and 3rd: Type B men (55.9%). 
③ It turns out that 1 in 2 people dislike blood type talk!
When asked if they like talking to people about blood types, it was found that 1 in 2 people dislike it. Among them, Type B individuals disliked it the most, with 56.8% answering they dislike it. It was clear that for those who feel uncomfortable with the topic, blood type talk can potentially become "Blood Type Harassment" (Bura-hara). 
④ The blood type people least want to be called is Type B! Even Type B individuals least want to be called Type B. Specifically, 41.2% of Type B men feel this way.
When asked which blood type they least want to be identified as, "Type B" (35.9%) was the most common answer, revealing that people of all blood types prefer not to be called Type B. Furthermore, 36.2% of Type B individuals themselves do not want to be identified as Type B. Within that group, Type B men had the highest percentage of not wanting to be called Type B. 
⑤ Even if they could change their blood type, people still want to be their own type!
When asked what blood type they would want to be if they could change it, it was found that for all blood types, the highest percentage wanted to remain their current type. The highest percentage was Type O at 71.9%, followed by Type AB at 56.6%, Type A at 45.8%, and Type B at 44.7%. 
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[*Survey Overview] ☑ Method: Internet Survey ☑ Region: Nationwide (Japan) ☑ Participants: 600 men and women in their 20s to 40s (Type A: 216, Type B: 141, Type O: 171, Type AB: 53, Unknown: 19) ☑ Period: May 2019