G-Shock’s DW-5600 Takes On The Flair Of Hokusai’s Most Well-Known Works In New Collaboration

G-Shock is leaning further into the collaborative spirit and isn’t showing any signs of slowing as we move into 2025. The brand has found its most recent source of inspiration in the works of Katsushika Hokusai — one of the most well-known artists of Japan’s Edo Period. In two limited-edition models, motifs from Hokusai’s most easily recognizable works, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” and “Fine Wind, Clear Morning” surround the digital display of the brand’s DW-5600 model, thus merging two distinct icons of Japanese art and design into a singular wearable piece. 

When you think of a G-Shock, it’s likely the DW-5600 that comes most immediately to mind. First released in 1983 by parent company Casio, the DW-5600 remains the foundation of the G-Shock aesthetic sensibilities and utilitarian design with its octagonal-shaped case, digital timekeeping, resin-based build, and rugged resistance. Similarly, the two pieces chosen from Hokusai’s larger body of work are among the most iconic, and we’ve seen these motifs replicated in the larger world of fashion, from Issey Miyaki to Supreme and Gucci; they have even been referenced in the cover art for a Weezer album. If you go to any college campus,  I’m sure it wouldn’t take long to find “The Great Wave” in laptop case – or at least laptop sticker – form.

Katsushika Hokusai worked throughout Japan’s Edo Period (which roughly spanned 1603-1868) in the traditional form ukiyo-e. Translating to “floating” or “transient world” in English, ukiyo-e is created by using woodblock carvings to create painted prints, often depicting images of natural landscapes and scenes from folk tales. While the ukiyo-e genre has had continued success and influence on the global stage, Hokusai’s works definitively remain the most well-known, largely due to their continued reference in popular culture. 

As for this limited-edition duo, the addition of Hokusai’s works is the heart of the hype and novelty here. In addition to the motifs that surround the digital display, the LED backlight features a red image of the Kanji character for “Japan.” Additionally, these watches are fully designed and manufactured in Japan as a testament to both Hokusai and to the brand’s own connection to its roots. Each model comes accompanied by a collectors' box, which features further depictions of the artwork and calls back to each piece’s respective source of inspiration. 

Both models are made of resin, and feature the standard length x width x height of the contemporary DW-5600 line (48.9mm x 42.8mm x 13.4mm).  And, as you might have already expected from G-Shock, each model is shock-resistant, water-resistant to 200 meters, and equipped with a suite of timers, stopwatches, and regular digital timekeeping functions. Between the two, the "Fine Wind, Clear Morning" model is my clear favorite. Unfortunately, according to the brand’s Japanese website, this model has already sold out. 

Both the DW-5600KHK24-1JR and DW-5600KHG24-1JR have been released only on G-Shock Japan, and retail at ￥17,600 JPY (approx. $112). It is unclear, however, whether this collaboration will be made available for customers outside of Japan. For more information, head over to the official G-SHOCK website.