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[IC] KAT Great Wave (大浪) | GB Jun21- Jul22 - All Vendors Live!

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Bobatype:
by Bobasweatandtears x Dudeship
Discord↠ Discord Server: Bobas Designs ↞

Set is now live in GB phase!KAT Great Wave GB thread
Koyomi- Calendar -
Groupbuy date: 21st June-22nd July 2021

Vendors
United StatesVala SupplyCanadaDeskhero | DeskmatsEuropeCandykeys | DeskmatsOceaniaDailyclack | DeskmatsChinazFrontier| CN listingSoutheast AsiaHex Keyboards | DeskmatsLatin AmericaFancy CustomsUkraine/Russia/BelarusFunkeysUnited KingdomPrototypistPhillipinesZion StudiosSouth KoreaStudio Greenfield

Inspiration

The Great Wave off Kanagawa <神奈川沖浪裏>(c 1829-1833) by Katsushika Hokusaiis a woodblock print (Ukiyo-e) and is one of the most reproduced and recognisable images of Japanese artwork in history. World-renowned, it has had a profound influence on Western art culture, but particularly upon the French Impressionists which in-turn shaped the great wave of European Modernism in the 20th Century. Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night also clearly shows significant inspiration from it, with him even writing vividly to his brother Theo:
Hokusai’s "waves are claws, the boat is caught in them, you can feel it".MoreIn fact, Hokusai's sophisticated uses of rich hues of blue to create this striking design, led to European artists to incorrectly deem the colour blue as idiosyncratically Japanese, and fuelled the "Japonism" craze at the time (the earliest weebs Japanophiles!). The blue in fact was actually European in origin, commonly known as Prussian Blue, and is the first modern synthetic pigment, spreading rapidly around the world, causing reciprocating ripples of creativity globally, from Paris to Japan.

There's many details to love, such as the intense dramatic tension of the gigantic wave about to break on top of the viewer unfolding in the foreground, to the contrast between the saturated swells and the white crest of foam with its claw-like tendrils. Despite its restrictive palette, it successfully captures a moment in time, portraying the constantly changing movement of the ocean and its vast power. Men in boats appear insignificant amongst the chaos of nature, which even envelops Japan's largest and sacred symbol, Mount Fuji (a focus of Hokusai's spirituality). This referential icon appears as a diminutive triangle in the distance, where it could be easily missed and mistaken for another ocean wave. This defied traditional Japanese compositions of perspective at the time, and Hokusai thus skillfully blends European structure, with Japanese motifs and techniques into a seamless work of enduring international appeal.
To us, the significant history behind this artwork and the pigment Prussian blue (berorin-ai; ベロリン藍) highlights the role of cultural exchange at the heart of creative discovery, and to continue to celebrate this spirit, we're using this iconic seascape as the theme for a keycap set design we think lots of people will also love too.



Design
Besides being a tribute to an ubiquitous artwork of significant cultural influence, we hope that our design is humbly evocative of the vast and infinite seas and sky. From a deep, muted navy hue that transitions to crispy ice-white, we wish to recall the endless beauty of crashing ocean waves, summer skies, and even crystalline glaciers. Timeless, enduring, and elegant, the blue of water is able to evoke many different emotions and scenes of nature. During development I noticed that there are many keycap set designs that are Japanese themed, and/or Blue, and/or a Gradient pattern. Well you can forget about the rest, because this manages to cover all of those features in one go!
Triple Threat; true thematic coverage


Kentô (Kits)- Registration marks carved into each woodblock so that the paper can be properly aligned on each woodblock during printing -
※ [Base Kit] - Aizuri-e (藍摺絵)
Alphas
※ [Latin] - Berlin BlueMore
※ [Hiragana sublegends] - Hokusai (北斎)More
※ [Katakana sublegends] - Ōnami (大波)More
※ [Katakana] - Kanagawa (神奈川)More
※ [Colemak+Mod-DH] - CoastalMoreColemak Mod-DH for ANSI, ISO and matrix-like keyboards, including wide configurations and DHk has been catered for too

Modifiers
※ [Icon] - SprayMore※ [Text] - SwellMore※ [Japanese] - Umi (海) [Sea]More
ƒ-Row
※ [Standard] - FoamMore※ [Kanji] - FujiMore
Number Pad
※ [Arabic /Gradient] - ShorelineMore※ [Arabic + Kanji /Gradient] - NamiMore※ [Kanji /Gradient] - SorobanMore※ [Arabic + Kanji /White] - FrothMore※ [Arabic /Blue] - Thirty-six ViewsMore※ [Arabic + Kanji /Blue] - DepthsMore
Add-Ons
※ [Novelties] - Ukiyo-e (浮世絵)- 'pictures of the floating world'; art produced in Japan in the 16th-19th century. Ukiyo was originally a Buddhist phrase meaning 'the floating world' used to explain that human life passed quickly, and later became used to describe the pleasures of life -
※ [Novelties] - MonsEssentially serves the purposes of 'Blanks' for supplementing Orthos, and XT-layouts (side F-row columns)
※ [Seigaiha Novelties] - Seigaiha (青海波)- 'blue sea and waves'; a pattern of layered concentric circles creating arches, symbolic of waves of the open sea and representing surges of good luck. Stemming from the 6th Century, and used on ancient maps and, this motif is prolific in Japanese print

MoreDo note that for PBT dyesub this is technically possible, as seen by KAM 80s After Dark sample (https://i.imgur.com/Rm0xkPU.jpeg) by the same manufacturer

※ [Spacebars] - SandbarMore
※ [Mac] - RingoMore
Alt Modifiers
※ [Ortho + 40s] - Oshiokuri-buneIconMoreJapanese TextMore
※ [Ergo] - EdoMore
Alt Language Kits
※ [Nordic] - ÆgirMore
※ [German] - Die große WelleMore
※ [Spanish] - La Gran OlaMore
※ [French] - La Grande VagueMore
※ [JIS - Latin Alphas + Mods] - Katsushika (葛飾)More

Yoko-e (Deskmats)- a print in horizontal or “landscape” format -
Ōnami- Great Wave -MorePrototype:


The Great KoiMorePrototype:



Ryūjin (龍神)- the dragon kami (spirit/god) of the sea -MorePrototype:Ryū (龍)
Great Cats off KanagawaMorePrototypes:




The Great Wave off Kanagawa

Kyôgô (Renders)- an impression pulled from the first woodblock made by a carver (omohan or sumihan) from the artist’s original drawing -Please note not all the renders are fully accurate due to legend changes, most notably the icon mods.
Please refer to the kit renders to view the final revision.

Sunsetter (Charue Design)
Argyle (Seoulcialite)
GMMK Pro (Glorious)
Cypher (Cable Car Designs)
Chasm (Valheru: dudeship x hark)
More
Paragon 75 (Artemis Design Studio)
More
Fuji65 (CMM.Studio - Mellperbia)
Aki-S 65% (Jeffccy)
More
LX60 (Smith)
Entity:One (Dudeship)More
TGR Alice (Yuktsi)
Ortho
- Renders by dudeship -
Disclaimer: Colours shown in keyboard renders and diagrams should not be treated as accurate representations of final keycap colours. Multiple factors such as render lighting, and individual display monitor calibrations can affect what you see. Manufacturer samples will be checked against physical color decks of the Pantone standards selected.

Iroita (色板) (Colours)- a colour block.  A separate block must be carved for each different colour for woodblock printing -
Photographs of Pantone colour reference (on paper); indoors during daylightNote that colours may be subject to change depending on samples by manufacturer, and we are also trialing a darker shade for the deepest blue


Betsubara (別腹) (Extras)-"separate stomach"; the mysterious extra room you find you have for dessert after a large meal -

Thok[/size]


Asero Foundry


Cablemod


More




Cable mod collab link


ArtKey Universe


Latrialum
Miroticaps

More
Rath
Archetype

More


Zero Sky

A.X Studio
More


Collaborations for other Artisans, Cables, Wristrest, Kb sleeve etc. to be confirmed.

Stay Up to Date
via Discord Server

via EmailDrop your email address in our feedback form if you’d like to be sent a quick message about the GB date, reminders upon the commencement, and closing of the purchase period
Other SocialsInstagram: @boba.kinks | @dudeshipmkDiscord DMs:  BobaSweatandTears#1659 | dudeship#3753
Stay wavyBobaSweatandTears & dudeship x Thank you to:
※ Hokusai - the OG
More※ Chase for his support and co-contribution to seeding the initial idea many months ago
※ Oli for being a top bloke and helping with icon modifiers, and assisting with the vector files. The seigaiha kit was his suggestion.
※ Kidviddy - for patiently responding to multiple queries about Japanese terminology and JIS
※ Konstantin - for his contributions to the kitting of KAT Monochrome and KAT Refined which was our foundation
※ NoPunin10ded - obscure language kitting is based off his work in KAT Napoleonic
//Note that all kitting mistakes here are mine, due to solitary attempts to adapt for a diagonal gradient
※ Ai03 - Japanese text for modifiers were referenced off the SimpleJA project
※ To all the respective keyboard designers for granting us permission to visualise our set on their beautiful keyboard designs
※ ImperfectLink - for rendering help and queries
※ Dazon for helping out with the technical side of the theme
※ Swishy from Keycapdesigner Discord (KAM 80s), and QQMBR (KAT Specimen) for answering so many newbie questions when we first began
※ KCD and ZDC server communities for general feedback, support and resources
※ Designers of other sets, that we have admired or taken cues from, in one way or another: i.e. SA Vilebloom, GMK Masterpiece, GMK Sumi, and SimpleJA

Signature
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Bobatype:
Reserved  :blank:

To Do List
※ Gather Feedback
※ Finalise Kitting
※ Consolidate Desk Mats (should Seigaha and Original artwork feature as well?)
※ Vendors
※ Collaborations
※ Samples
※ Announce Pricing
※ Fix a Group Buy Date

Q&A
More※  When will this be available for purchase?
This will depend on our communication with vendors (regional storefronts responsible for handling purchases and shopping). We will aim to have a group-buy date period sometime in the second quarter of 2021.
For newbies, a groupbuy is the one month period, where stores collect pre-order purchases. Note it is typically months afterwards, depending on the manufacturer’s production line, for these keycaps to be made and shipped.


※  What is KAT?
↠ KAT profile is a sculpted keycap profile manufactured by Keyreative.
↠ Side comparison diagram to cherry (GMK), SA, and OEM profile courtesy of keycaps.info:

↠  It is made of PBT plastic; meaning less likelihood for shine over use compared to ABS
↠  Legends are dye sublimated
↠  It is compatible with Cherry MX style switches on most mechanical keyboards
↠ Here are photos of caps from other Keyreative sets that have been produced or are in development: KAT Eternal, KAT Eternal, , KAT Napoleonic, KAM 80s After Dark

※  Why so many kits?
It can appear overwhelming, but for the majority of users, a Core Alpha kit +  Modifier kit will cover 60/65%, +/- F-row kit to cover 75%/TKL, and Numpad to cover 100% layouts. If you’re in Europe, you might prefer your regional alphas instead.
This specific manufacturer's Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) structure however permits us to support extra compatibility for those who use less popular keyboard forms. As long as the overarching goal of the minimum number of keycap “units'' sold for production is met, all kits will be made.
This approach should be applauded; giving those who enjoy using less popular layouts an opportunity to purchase a set for their favoured form. It also embraces the customizability spirit of this hobby, offering people their pick of legends for alphas and modifiers.
However, a high number of kits is also logistically more challenging for vendors, and is time-consuming from the designers perspective. We'll do our best to cater, but there is a limit to what we can or are allowed to do.
It's been particularly tricky ensuring the gradient applies to non-standard layouts (like 40s/orthos/colemak/ergo), so let us know if we've made any mistakes given our unfamiliarity with those exotic form factors.


※  What colours of blue did you pick?
We are using shades of blue based on the Pantone GP1601A Coated and Uncoated Formula Guide, and selected them based on how well they transitioned with each other.
In regards to the specific colour codes, until group buy, only the manufacturer (for samples), and artisan/cable collaborators will be privy to that information. There are photos of the pantone above though if you wanted to see what it looks like on paper via camera phone.
During the IC period we will continue to try and improve renders to better represent the exact colours better, but note that due to render software lighting, and individual monitor differences, there will be variations.

※  Do you consider the colours/font/icons/kits/novelties final?
Not at all, we are still very open to suggestions and improvement, especially if there is significant consensus and/or expertise opinion regarding feasible adjustments, such as kitting.

※ Is the kanji you are using for the Escape key correct?
From asking around: 中止(stop)、終了(finish; complete) and 退出(exit; leave; withdraw), were informed as reasonable kanji-based options. Keycap sets Kuro Shiro and SimpleJA in fact use 終了, however we wanted to focus on the beauty of a single kanji character if possible.
Thus we went with "終" which has been used in old films, where it is displayed on the screen at the end, in lieu of the French "fin". If you are a native Japanese speaker, please leave a message on any other terminology errors or suggestions. Thanks to Kidviddy for aiding with translations.





Fun Facts
More※ The term Manga was created by the artist Hokusai
※ Arising from the Edo period, the Great Wave art may be Hokusai’s most famous work, but he didn’t produce the piece until 70 years old, after creating more than 30,000 works of art.
※ The wave print was part of a 36-piece series known as Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.
※ Despite its popularity, the series was not considered great art by Japanese art historians of the time. They viewed uikyo-e as a form of commercial printing – not fine art, beneath consideration for artistic merit. But today, original woodblock prints are beloved by museums and galleries around the world
※ Hokusai was influenced by Dutch artist's techniques of vanishing point perspective, evidenced by the illusion of depth, and a low horizon line; abandoning traditional Japanese isometric view, where motifs are scaled according to importance.
※ There are echoes of golden ratio throughout the artwork, where the fractal nature of breaking wave mirrors the mathematical beauty of nature itself.
※ Prussian blue is the traditional "blue" in both blueprints and aizuri-e (藍摺り絵) Japanese woodblock prints. It was imported from China and the Netherlands (the only countries Japan traded with in the 1830s).
※ The colour "Berlin Blue" found its way to the printmaking industry in Osaka where it was trafficked as “bero”, where its vivid hue, tonal range and foreignness saw it explode in popularity just as it had in Europe.
※ Before Prussian blue reached Japan, printmakers used the blue dyes indigo and dayflower blue, which are much less vibrant.
※ This compound is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system. It is used as an antidote for certain kinds of heavy metal poisoning
※ Here is what a woodblock print looks like:


Articles for reference:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/66591/15-things-you-might-not-know-about-great-wave-kanagawa
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/may/19/hokusai-japanese-artist-late-blossoming-great-wave-mount-fuji
https://blogs.getty.edu/iris/why-the-iconic-great-wave-swept-the-world/
https://blog.britishmuseum.org/the-great-wave-spot-the-difference/



Cat Tax
MoreCat Great Wave
Source: nekomakicomics

hali:
really glad to see this set in ic

Rossman360:
If the question marks mean you're unsure on the name, I suggest Kanagawa

Oops, my phone wasn't showing the Japanese characters. Also, I'm definitely getting that first desk mat.

ManoliVisuals:
This is about to be one of the easiest cops of my life

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