Japanese Cherry Blossom

“In the cherry blossom's shade
there's no such thing
as a stranger.” 

~Kobayashi Issa 

This month the painting inspiration at Art Bead Scene is Heijinja created by Toshi Yoshida. Yoshida was a Japanese printmaker in the early part of the 20th century. Yoshida was a skilled artist from the age of three when he showed remakable talent in woodblock designs alongside his famous artist father, Hiroshi Yoshida. 

There are so many intricate details in this painting. The strong lines of the architecture to the fanciful roof line. The blossoming cherry tree with the soft pink blooms. The Japanese mother feeding the birds with her young child nearby wearing colorful traditional robes. 

 My goal this year is to come up with designs each month that are inspired by the Art Bead Scene inspiration art. The poppy red pagoda dominates the scene of this painting. But to me it is sort of a backdrop to the everyday life that is happening in front of it. People come and go on the street. A young woman stoops to bless the birds with some food, teaching her child respect for all creatures. And above it all the cherry blossom tree, with its profusion of sweet smelling blossoms, hints at the impermanence of life. Those blooms are very short lived and when they fall, they do so completely. So in Japanese culture they have been associated with Samurai warriors because like the bloom, they are prepared to fall completely and unreservedly. In other cultures, the cherry blossom has different connotations. In China, these blooms are heralded as evoking strength and femininity. So I am reminded to stop and soak up the beauty all around me and not to overlook the little things that make life sweet.

Besides being my go-to fragrance from Bath & Body Works, I love the delicate and fleeting nature of cherry blossoms in the spring. With the snow piling up outside today, it is hard to believe the there will be blooms but I know they will come.

The Simple Truths Sampler Club this month received a LIMITED EDITION botantical bird in a cherry blossom pattern (my apologies if the members haven't received it yet! They are on the way!). I started making the botanical birds last fall with some Sari Snapshot style and then in winter with the holiday botanicals. This year I have a plan to make a new botanical bird for each season. For spring, it is the spring sakura botanical bird. A limited number of these made-to-order pendants are available for sale. Once the limit is reached this pendant will be retired.  

But I also have a few more cherry blossom items in other shapes and sizes that are available. A wonderful way to welcome spring!

What is your favorite way to welcome spring?