Simply Mad about de-cluttering and de-signing

I like publishing my postings on Mondays...the beginning of a brand new and shiny week, a fresh start, 5 days full of endless hours (ok, ok, not endless, but Mondays certainly hold the most hours to be had in a work week...) to make jewelry!  Mondays inspire me!  I am happy to leave the weekend behind and start up a new week with all its possibilities.  YAY for Mondays!!!!

Last week, I meant to start working on the "Japanese collection" - by the way I need a MUCH cooler name for it so send your suggestions, I feel a contest brewing.  Remember I told you and showed you the inspiration piece on the second to last posting?  Remember, that colorful and soft piece of Japanese silk I found tucked away at the flea market?  Here it is again...

Japanese silk; inspiration piece

Well, last Monday right after I told you about my find, I was ready to sit down and start making bright-colored jewelry, but something happened.  I sat at my work table and something didn't feel right.  Hmmmm...I didn't know where to start, all the beads were looking at me begging to be picked but I was stuck.  I sat back and looked around me and there it was!  THE MESS!  My studio was a complete mess...not dirty, just disorganized.  I couldn't stand it!   I put my tools and beads aside and spent the better part of the week de-cluttering, re-organizing, re-storing and re-labeling.  My beads are now neatly stored and categorized by color, folders have been filled with previously loose papers, and I rearranged the furniture for ease of movement and hopefully better flow of energy.  I felt like I was clearing my creative mind and making room for all those ideas, colors and beads that were waiting to be picked and explored!  Cleaning=Cleansing=Good for the soul :)

By the end of the week I was ready!  I sat down and approached my designing process in a whole new way.  New Year!  New Week!  New Approach!  You see,  ever since I started making jewelry, there has never been a rhyme or reason as to why I make the kind of jewelry I make or how I arrived at a particular design.  I would just buy materials I liked and in my head I would picture a piece and voila!  It was made!  That kinda of work, but there was always something missing - a why or what or how?  That has been my biggest challenge; to find my style, my theme, my story.  But with the new year and my renewed motivation, I thought I would do something different.  I have already decided my collections will have a travel-inspired twist, they will be born from places I have been to; from a picture, or a souvenir or a little treasure found in a local flea market. That will give the piece an instant story.  But I needed more.  I need to connect with my jewelry. 

This time I took my time to sit down and do some sketches of the mental pictures I had - I will not win a prize for drawing bu that's not the point.  Much like journal-ing, when you put all your thoughts on paper to clear your head (I am a BIG, HUGE journal-er, I do it first thing in the morning so I call them my "morning pages" and it does help), sketching helps me see my ideas more clearly.  By doing so, I don't stay up at night trying to dream up the next necklace or pair of earrings.  I am developing a new creative process and my little heart is very happy...jumping-up-and-down-happy.  Knowing the why? and what? of my designs makes me more proud to call them my own.  And in turn more confident in sharing them with you!  They are my babies...I am seeing them from inspiration to sketch to construction to the finish line - ready to be sent off to make someone happy whenever she wears it.

some sketches...Mad-style sketching

This inspiration piece has also made me push my boundaries a bit.  Normally, a monochromatic-muted-colors-kinda a girl, I find myself really leaning toward the pinks, the oranges and blues on the pattern.  I will dive in and roll around in these colors and I will honor Japan with a spring collection! After all, spring is the best season in Japan...endless festivals are held all across the country bringing the cities and it's people to life with colors, dances and age old traditions.  And who can forget the awe-inspiring cherry blossoms!  Here are some picts from Japanese spring festivals.  See all the color?

I could have chosen a wintery picture of Mt. Fuji and give my monochromatic-muted-colors side some joy with a black, white and gray collection....but nope!  Oh no!  This is the year to push the envelope, take risks and take a leap!  So Japan in the Spring it is! 

gathering materials

Will unveil the collection 2 weeks from today, but first I need a "SIMPLY" awesome name - submit yours for the chance to win a pair of Simply Mad earrings from the new collection - your choice!  I will have a contest on Facebook, so head on over to Facebook and click LIKE so you don't miss any of the details!

Cheers to a colorful week for everyone!!!
Mad

Shrines vs Temples; what are the differnces?

A few weeks ago (sorry it has taken so long for this “follow up” posting) I blogged about Ueno Park and how my visit to the park sparked the curiosity to learn the differences between Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples – both of which abound in Japan.  Shinto, original Japanese religion and Buddhism, imported from China in the 6^th century, are the two most practiced religions in Japan – or at least they were in decades past.  Nowadays, it seems a very small % of Japanese follow or practice any religion at all.

My quest to find answers to my questions and identify the differences between the two began online but then I got smart and ask my friend Miyuki if I could “interview” her. What follows is a compilation of Miyuki’s contribution, coupled with bits and pieces found in www.nihonsun.com, www.mustlovejapan.com and (of course) www.wikipedia.com.

Here it goes…

Let’s pretend it is a beautiful fall day in Tokyo and you are out and about for day of discovery.  You have just finished an “oishī” (delicious) lunch with sushi and miso soup, and now you are in search of temples and shrines, shrines and temples. 

Torii...gate to a Shinto Shrine...not found in Buddhist Temple

Walking down the street you go until you see what looks like a temple or, wait a minute!  Is it a shrine? You are not sure and that’s the very reason you are exploring!  Well, if you are standing under or near a gigantic gate (called torii - usually red) then you have entered or are about to enter a Shinto shrine.  If you look a little closer you will also see statues of lions or dogs flanking main structure.  As you go further into this shrine you will see a large washbasin with long-handled ladles.  Time to purify yourself!  You MUST wash your hands and mouth before you continue. 

  

Washing your hands purifies your body and washing your mouth purifies your soul.  After you are pure, then you are ready to proceed and go all the way in and reach the statue of ….hmmmm…..well….a higher being  (kami in Japanese) – for lack of a better term.  There seems to be some discrepancy about whether these statues are gods, spirits, elements of nature or ancestors or all of the above.   You will not see our jolly-big-bellied friend Buddha anywhere near a Shrine…Buddha lives in temples.

wahsbasin to clean hands and mouth...purify!

Now that you have purified yourself, it is time to pray but WAIT!  Do not press your palms together and bring them to your chest…that’s not what a Shinto worshiper looks like.  Instead you will stand in front of the kami statue, you will bow twice, clap twice to wake up the kami and make sure he is listening (I am not making this up), then bow once more…WAIT you are not done yet!  After that single bow, look around you, you will find a box with what looks like a grill on top, do you see it?  That’s where your much appreciated donation goes…so chop, chop…produce some coins and make a contribution.  NOW, you are ready to pray!  Tell kami all about your dreams and whishes, ask for what you need and want and do not forget to say thank you for what you have.

"saisen-bako" - donation box...do NOT skip this step!

incense burner

Now, you are done at the Shrine, take a few pictures and enjoy the scenery – Shrines are usually surrounded by great natural beauty.  As you continue your journey of exploration, you are sure to come across a Buddhist Temple.  How do I know?  Well, there are many so you are bound to see one even if you don't want to, but you do, right?  How do you know you have encountered a Buddhist Temple, you may ask?  Aha!  Well, for starters there is no red gate/torii visible.  Buddha doesn’t require purification so you will not see the washbasin.  It seems Buddha is always on duty as you will not see any Buddhists clapping their hands to wake him up either.  You will, however, find burning incense believed to have healing powers.  Get beyond the incense and you will see a, most likely, ginormous statue of Buddha.  Most Buddha statues I have seen around here don't look like the jolly, big-bellied figurine my mother used to have and whose belly she used to rub for good luck.  

incense burner

Once in front of the statue DO press your palms together and place them against your forehead, this is the time to say your prayers.  If there are other statues in the Temple make sure you say a prayer to all of them so no one gets upset but always start with Buddha.  In case the towering statue of Buddha is not enough confirmation that you are in a Buddhist Temple, look around and up to find a large, huge Chinese bell or a Chinese gong or a Chinese drum or all three for additional confirmation.  Buddhism came from China, remember?

statues of Buddha

    
Both Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples have “ema” & “omikuji”.  “Ema” are thin wooden blocks where people write their prayers and wishes.  “Omikuji” are pieces of     paper with “fortunes” written on them.  They are folded and tied to a tree or a string.  You are meant to take one and unfold it to reveal your fortune, kinda like a fortune cookie without the cookie.

"ema"

omikuji

One last thing, if you have the fortune to witness a Japanese wedding, then you are in a Shrine.  If you come a cross a funeral you are in a Temple.  Not sure why, but weddings are held in Shrines & funerals in Temples.

Hope you found this interesting.  Something to talk about around the water cooler tomorrow or at the dinner table tonight ;)

Please feel free to share comments, questions or pictures…

Next: Kamakura: unexpected colors & celebrations!

Until then...go explore a new place!

The Kimono; much more than a dress

Imagine a stone-paved, narrow street lined by wooden structures with low roofs and “shoji” style doors.  Along the small street three Japanese ladies are walking, carrying parasols and wearing kimonos.  This was an every day scene in Japan prior to centuries ago when the only fashion trend – for men and women – was the iconic kimono just like it had been for centuries prior.

In 1853, the US Naval Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Japan and “forced” the country to open their ports and engage in international trading.  Until then, Japan had managed to preserve and protect their closely guarded customs.  Western influences started filtering in and giving way to a loss of interest in the traditional arts and crafts, including the kimono.  The more practical Western-style clothes took hold pushing the kimono to the “back of the closet”. 

beautiful colors!

It is nearly impossible for the rest of the world to understand the stature of the kimono in Japanese society.  To fully understand its cultural value one would have to immerse oneself in every aspect of Japan’s history, its culture, arts and literature.  Moriguchi Kuhihiko (son of Moriguchi Kako (a legend in the field of silk dying) tries to explain to us the importance of a great kimono:

“A fine kimono is an adornment like the jewels and furs worn by European women.  Although the form of the garment never changes, a custom-made kimono is a courtier gown and also an original work by a creative artist.  A splendid kimono is apt to be handed down from one generation to the next like a painting or a piece of jewelry.  Kimonos are not created to seasonal fads, but are designed as raiment that will contribute to Japan’s tradition of beauty”

Today, the average Japanese woman owns one kimono, at most.  Unless the dress makes a comeback like some fashion trends do, it is likely that girls who are born towards the latter part of this century will never own one.  And if she finds herself the proud owner of one of these masterpieces, she will need to go to school to learn how to wear it.  Such knowledge was traditionally passed on from generation to generation.  If you visit Japan today, you will find an endless array of affordable kimonos in souvenir and fashion stores, but that is not the kind I am describing here.  I am referring to the kimono that holds great artistic and cultural value and have been worn by both, men and women, with pride and elegance throughout history.  The kimono made of the finest hand-painted silk and embellished with intricate embroideries; a one-of- a-kind masterpiece. 

Japan, as a society has a tireless determination to pursue and achieve perfection in all they do and the art of kimono making is no exception.  The authentic kimono is made form the finest silk and runs upwards of $10,000, perhaps double that once all the accessories have been added.  In the simplest of terms, a kimono is a loose robe with long sleeves.  But there is nothing simple about the final product; an exquisite and complex combination created my multiple elements, each with a specific role.  Here is a list of some of the pieces: the “kanzashi”  (hairpiece), the “geta” (wooden sandals), the “obi”  (wide silk sash), the “obimakura” (small pillow that gives the “obi” its volume and shape on the back and the “susoyoke” (slip worn under the kimono.  Some of the pieces are seasonal or reserved for special occasions like the “eri-sugata” – a special collar used only during warm weather or the “haori” – a formal coat.  The process of getting dressed in a kimono is no simple task either and it requires two people to assemble the outfit perfectly.   

The color and pattern selection is taken very seriously.  The person for whom the kimono is created has an active role in designing and putting his/her touch in every detail.  A kimono defines financial status, style, taste and personality and it is of upmost importance that all the pieces are impeccable and fit perfectly together.  It is said that the “kimono is not a kimono until someone wears it and brings it to life”.  The colors and prints are chosen according to the season; it could be a flower or food that represents a period of time during the year.  For example, spring or summer kimonos the call for light colors and the pattern may be of cherry blossoms.  Somber and dark colors along with a bamboo or pinecone design would be more appropriate for a winter kimono.

Each color, print and the placement of such print provide additional information about the garment. The most formal kimono for married women, called “kurotomesode” is black with the pattern applied only below the waistline.  The single woman’s version of this formal kimono, called “furisode”, has longer sleeves and brighter colors.  A “homongi” is a kimono with the print visible only on seams, sleeves and shoulders.  The most casual style is called “komon” and it is identified by a small design that repeats throughout the entire robe.  These are only a few of the complexities of the hierarchy of the Japanese wardrobe.  There are other technicalities such as the left side of the kimono should always go in front of the right, except when dressing a corpse for a funeral, in which case the opposite applies.  The loose and wide neck was designed that way on purpose; to show that part of the woman’s body which is considered the most sensual.   

The world of the kimono is a world governed by century-old rules where everything is meticulously calculated.  It is magic and enigmatic.  When it comes to designing and creating a kimono nothing is left to chance, every detail is painstakingly cared for. 

Until next time...be happy!!!

Tokyo looks Pretty in Pink - Sakura Season

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Cherry Blossoms (Sakura in Japanese) have finally bloomed and if you blink you might miss them!  The delicate pink tones of the flowers give this enormous and urban city a much softer and sweeter edge even if only for fleeting moment.  The blooms only last for about a week or two.  Rain and wind can cut this time in half :o(  We went for a walk this past weekend just to see what all the fuss is about (I had never witnessed a Cherry Blossom season) and OMG! it is all they say it is and then some!  These trees are breathtaking.

Cherry Blossoms have great significance in Japanese culture.  They can be found on paintings on dishes, on Kimonos’ design even on the street you come across an occasional concrete tile that has a cherry blossom flower on it.  I think those denote a viewing route.  Now that we live here I had to find out exactly what is it that these trees represent to the Japanese people. 

Cherry Blossoms are native to China and Japan.  The ones found in Washington were given to the USA by Japan as a symbol of friendship in 1912.  In China the tree is associated with women’s dominance and beauty as well as the female body and sexuality.

In Japan, the meaning has evolved along the centuries.  Historically, it had a more religious and philosophical meaning - they were admired and held in high regard because the short blooming season reminded them of the short cycle of life.  And it was an opportunity to ponder on the transient nature of one’s life.  They were also associated with Samurais who were expected to have very shot lives.

Today, however, the activities surrounding cherry blossom season are the social kind.  They have come to symbolize innocence, spring and simplicity.  People use Sakura season as an opportunity and get together with friends and family to eat, drink sake and be merry!  These gatherings are called “hanami” and they are as popular today as they were thousands of years ago!

These trees are truly one of nature’s wonder!

More blogging to come….Tokyo is amazing and everyday I discover something new and interesting I want to share with you!  Stay tune and follow this blog so you don’t miss out on any postings!

Mata-ne (See you soon)

Mad