Magnolia is one of the flowers in my to-do list. Every year, I always admire how the tree near our building blooms with elegant white Magnolia flowers. I always imagine how it would look like if I put some branches in a vase. Unfortunately, the flower shops around us do not sell such. The first weeks of January were a bit tough for me. I suffered from fever with cough.. Read More
Simple Ikebana arrangements are what most people have in mind when they hear the word Ikebana. A single flower in a vase may look very easy to make. However, I always find it very challenging. Why? Because the simpler the arrangement, the more I need to think how to showcase the beauty of my material/s. Hence whenever I have the chance, I try to practice making simple arrangements for our home… Read More
Peony flowers has long been a favorite in Asian arts like paintings, poems, and even tattoos. It represents honor, wealth, romance, and beauty in all forms. There are special exhibitions for peony here in Japan between mid-April to mid-May. During this time, locals and foreign visitors can enjoy its beauty and subtle fragrance. This year, I was fortunate to see one of these exhibitions at Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura… Read More