BLOSSOM FAIRY

The "Lusty Month of May " is over but the season of the blossoming 'Camelot" has just begun. Today, while wandering through my garden, I realize the many gifts of nature that I've taken for granted and am inspired to give thanks by creating.

In a way, this little Blossom Fairy  is just one of the many ways inwhich a creative soul can give back to Mother Earth's generosity.

I am humbled at this time, as I leave Japan and return home to Canada for awhile. I will  miss my modest little garden and the many unassuming, fragrant blooms that have greeted me with a smile.

 Ever time I see flowers, I feel happy and often relate to that good old seventies term, "Flower Power".  Nature just seems to work in harmony with our creative being .   It's quite possible that our creative consciouness does not create itself , but rather is influenced unconciously, by spontaneous ideas and sudden flashes of nature. Artistically, we record our feelings on paper and call it art. I like the idea that nature and creativity become one energy of expression.

"Fairy Blossom" (above) is my creative outpouring of  the Cherry Blossom  season here in Japan. The season is just too beautiful for words , so as an artist, I do try to recreate  the ethereal flora of the environment.

Japan's indigenous religion," Shinto" has taught me  'ZaaArt" of 'great love and reverence for nature".  The 'Kami" or balance and harmony are enrichening gifts that I carry in my heart across the ocean for the summer months.

SPRINGTIME SAKURA

Who's ready for Spring? ... MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !
I'm so happy, that I'm jumping up and down, clicking pictures of everthing insight...Of course, in Japan, one must ask for permission, to take a picture of another person, so, I'm gingerly sitting on my hands, to stop them from going ' snap , snap .

This is a picture of my "Springtime Sakura" Doll. She's one of four , washi creations, that will be on display, at the Kitakyushu, Doll Exhibition, during the month of April.

"Springtime Sakura", is a small doll that I have secured onto a hanging board, for decorative purposes. She's a highly respected Oiran Lady who would have a garden filled with spring flowers to honor the season.

I'm a March baby, so Springtime has always been a special time of the year ... Spring is like opening birthday presents .. It's a sense of joy that can only be harmonized with nature . It's like walking in the melting ice, with a hole in your boot. It's like breathing in the euphoric air, that's filled with the scent of the Easter Lilies.. It's like seeing a kalidescope of colors dancing through the ground as the tulips and daffodils blossom and break forth . Spring is like being reborn..I love it !!!

So, it's no wonder, that everyone is noticing, my over exhuberant attitude. Even my doll Sensei and the Japanese ladies are laughing at my spring fever, antics... OK .. so I made cream puffs for last weeks, class... They were " Yummy Calories ", that I'll probably wear off , running around the Doll Exhibition.

I'm so very honored, to be part of this Japanese Artisan Showing ... Needless to say, Zaa Art of taking pictures needs alot of practise so I'll take two camera's instead of one.( Hee Hee) Just incase I run out of film.

HAPPY EASTERTIDE

I think of the garden after the rain;

And hope to my heart comes singing,

" At morn the cherry blossoms will be white,

And the Easter bells will be ringing!".

Written by: (Edna Dean Proctor : Easter Bells)

Wishing the blessing of Eastertide to all my special friends... Please enjoy the 'Zaa Art " of the Springtime .

SAKURA, SAKURA

April is " Cherry Blossom" season in Japan . It's a mezmerizing time , when an ethereal pink hue takes over the hills and countryside. I have been so in awe of the beauty that I've snapped over 500 pictures. Today, I remembered a song. "Sakura, Sakura", is a traditional Japanese folksong from the Edo period,depicting Spring and the season of cherry blossom in Japan. It was first composed for children playing the "koto".

" Sakura, Sakura"
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
On Meadow-hills and mountains
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Flowers in full bloom
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Across the Spring sky,
As far a you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the air.
Come now, come,
Let's look, at last!
If you would like to hear this song , please go to: http://www.mamalisa.com/midi/sakura.midsakura.mid.
http://www.mamalisa.com/mp3/sakura.mp3akura.mp3akura.mp3
Hope you have the time to enjoy 'Zaa Art" of the season by taking a moment to stop and smell the blossoms. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

LION BOY

It Birthday time in Japan. Four, out of five members of my immediate family celebrate their birthdays in March, so the Spring season often becomes one big PARTY.

This is a picture of my husbands' birthday gift. ' Lion Boy ", a character from the Kabuki Theatre. I thought it might remind of his youth and maybe, he would jump up and down and we could go dancing ( Yes, that's a good idea! )

Kabuki is a blend of music, dance, mime and spectacular costuming. It has been the main theatrical artform in Japan for four centuries. "Lion Boy" is one of it's favorite characters. I had never made a male doll and thought it might be a fun project. WELL.........

The truth is that, we didn't go tripping the light fantastic, but the gift did make my husband smile . He really appreciated, that I made a male washi doll for him. ..SO he took me for a week-end trip on his birthday and bought me a pearl necklace. .. HEY ..That's " Zaa Art " of Birthday Magic.

WHITE DAY TREATS

"Romancing the chocolate" is unique in Japan. Recently, I received, some " White Day " gifts ... OH, how lucky am I ... but I wondered, "What is White Day?"

If you remember, only Japanese men receive gifts on Valentine's Day... How sad for the ladies, but never fear for there is gallant hope here.

In 1978 , the Japanese National Confection Industry declared that Japanese women should also receive gifts of chocolate love. So, they originated the celebration of " Marshmallow Day" on March 14th, one month after our Valentine's Day. WELL ... marshmallows gave way to delicious, white chocolate and the day was soon transformed into, " White Day".

If a man received a " honmei-choco" , chocolate love, or " Giri-choco", chocolate, given by a female co-worker on February 14th ,then he would be expected to return the favor to the lady, who incidently, may have bought 20 to 30 chocolate boxes for distribution around the office. ..That's alot of male admirers !!!!

Needless to say, this approach to Valentine's Day is something that department stores and confectionary shops promote and look forward to because of the potential sales that it generates. Really, it's a win/ win situation for everyone. .. I mean, if you don't love chocolate , put up your hands!!!

Now, let's take this one step further .... The gifts, for " White Day , are sometimes termed as "sanbai gaeshi" ( literally ,"thrice the return") so whatever a man buys for the lady , should be two to three times the cost of the original gift that he received.... Sounds good to me.( Ha Ha) ... Chocolates, china, lingerie and jewlery seem the most popular ..(CHA-Ching)

If your an English teacher,( like me) you might be lucky enough to receive a " tomo-choco", sweets for a friend.... I enjoy sweets and I adore receiving gifts, so I will gladly accept 'ZaaArt" of giving from the Heart on White Day. .. M-M-M-M- M- This chocolate is yummy!!!!

HAKATA DOLL

This is Kasuga, my wonderful new/old Hakata Doll. She's an antique ceramic that weighs alittle over 5 pounds. Her unusual hair color and intricately designed kimono are breath-taking.

She drinks tea in the elegant ceremonial fashion. It is a happy day for her. See, how gracefully, Kasuga poses her hands...Beautiful !!!.

The process of creating Hakata Dolls varies amongst masters and families, who are recipients of the art technique traditions, that span many centuries.

Hakata doll makers procure their own clay ( tsuchi) locally. The dolls are named, after the area inwhich the clay has been found. In this case Hakata-ku, Fukuoka prefecture.

The pre-owner cared meticulously for this Hakata Doll. I was fortunate enough to receive the artists' signed signature plaque, plus a wonderful, old, rusty carrying case, inlaid with silk padding. Thank You !!!

I am not sure of the exact date of this doll, nor the artists' name, although it seems to say, Tatumi/Tatsumi. Japanese is a symbolic language, often it seems, that the written name or story is interpretive or not exactly understood.

No matter ... for in true fashion, Kasuga, is ZaaArt of a Master Hakata Artisan...whoever he may be.