Dear friends,
The other day I went to see an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum entitled: Kimono Style. My purpose was not to see kimonos but to see “inrō (印籠)” which is a decorative Japanese portable case.
Some of you may know the “inrō” because it was used as a symbolic item to show authority in the longest-running historical Japanese drama series. The “inrō” is a Japanese portable case, which holds such as identity seals and medicines. It was popular as a men's accessory in the middle of the Edo period (1603- 1867), and it was commonly hung from an obi, a sash worn at the waist, of your kimono. It later became an object of a collection.
By the way, I was interested in “inrō” because I heard an episode in which Steve Jobs made an iPhone inspired by inro. It is famous that he was fascinated by Japanese culture but this story was a pleasant surprise to me.
When I think of it, the first iPhone had a slightly rounded shape and fit nicely in the palm of my hand. Its size and shape were very similar to the “inrō”
It's easy for me to imagine that Steve Jobs was inspired not only by the “inrō’s” shape and size but by its sophistication and attention to detail. Several of the "intros" on display at the Metropolitan Museum seemed to have taught me not about the functionality and superficial beauty of the iPhone, but about the timeless and deep passion of the object. I feel why Apple products have a little bit of human touch. Even if technology advances beyond the human brain I hope human passion will remain.
All the best,
Kumiko