Mountain grape vines decorate the scenery with their vivid colorful fruit. The grape is a rare motif in Japanese embroidery.
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This piece asks that we work to meet the challenge of making treasure patterns in 3D with color.
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This insect cage conveys the idea of insects living among the stems of the begonia flowers. In late summer the crickets begin to sing all at once like a symphony.
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The circle of flowers is based on a stone engraving on the arcade wall of a French museum.
The stone is carved like a burst of energy in creation, and the dynamism of life. Plum flowers and mum patterns are added to the design along with color.
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Gunbai, or “war fan” was a device used by samurai commanders to direct troops during battle maneuvers, and also a symbol of rank.
Nowadays, the gunbai is quite familiar to fans of Sumo wrestling as the referee’s device for conducting matches.
For this reason, the gunbai motif is used for boys’ kimono, demonstrating the wish that the wearer will be a leader, full of intelligence and determination.
Also, this motif is used for ladies’ kimono and obi to wish for guidance during the ordeals and turning points of life.
May the wearers be successful and achieve their aspirations.
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The color change of the maple is considered especially beautiful in Japan. Autumn is an extremely favorable season for visiting Japan because of the intense colors. At the height of autumn, the leaves are more flowery than flowers.
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In Japan, there is a custom to “listen to insects. It makes us feel cool by listening to the insects singing while awaiting the arrival of the autumn season.
People continue to make traditional insect baskets using bamboo in traditional style. Children catching insects and storing them in a cage is a typical summer scene in Japan.
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Japan, an island country, is long and narrow from north to south. It has a full range of gorgeous seasonal changes and the greatest number of cherry tree varieties in the world. In spring, weather reports on TV and radio focus on where and when the cherry flowers will bloom.
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Pine, crane, and turtle (expressed as kikko, the hexagon pattern taken from turtle shells) are symbols of longevity in Japan. This is why these motifs can be often seen at celebrations such as weddings, or birthdays for elders. Examples of this can be seen on formal wedding kimonos, and the uchikake, the decorative kimono that is worn over the actual kimono, where beautiful images of those motifs are often embroidered.
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Gunbai, meaning “military-apportioned fan”, was a specialized form of fan used by high-ranking samurai officers in old Japan to communicate commands to their troops. They could also shield the officer from the sun, or arrows.
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There are 54 Genji-mon geometrical design patterns, which originally symbolized the combination of fragrances in the Genjiko game. The summer design shows a genji-mon with a morning glory. There is a story behind this design.
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Spring design shows a Genji-mon with butterflies. The butterfly is considered to be a symbol of “the revival”
In Japan, it is used as the symbol of the incarnation of immortality, the immortality of a samurai.
This design is not so serious. It shows the return of spring and butterflies playing around the mon.