تم أصدار إعلان جديد لفرقة 2PM لمأكولات Hanami الخفيفة في تايلاند.

هذا الإعلان تم تصويره في شهر أغسطس أي قبل شهرين تقريبا, عندما كان Jaebeom لايزال مع 2PM.

الجزء الأول من الإعلان

الجزء الثاني

Credit-Allkpop

f(x) has revealed the MV for ‘Chu~♡ ‘. It’s not bad. Song still hasn’t gotten to me. At this point, I don’t think it will XD

The second CF for ‘Hanami’ starring 2PM has been revealed. It’s soooo cute and dorky!!

New DSP girlgroup Rainbow and Heaven’s Postman movie trailer starring Jaejoong below the cut.

DSP is going to debut a new 7 member girl group called Rainbow. Actually there’d been rumours about it circulating last year, but they’re finally going to debut now. They’ll be debuting with an album called ‘Gossip Girl’ and an MV teaser was revealed today.

Heaven’s Postman, the telecinema project starring DBSK’s Jaejoong and Han Hyo Joo is finally going to air. The movie will be played in theatres November 12th in Japan, while it’ll be aired on TV in Korea.

You might have noticed my new header…well I’m SUPER angry because I had to chop off part of it. I worked SO hard on this! Well, anyways, if you want the header, you can comment. Also, here’s a fresh 2PM CF for Hanami Prawn Snacks with Jaebeom.

credit: yipyeee

SS501’s Kim Hyun Joong starred in a costmetics CF for a brand called ‘Tony Moly’. Apparently they only wrapped up the shoot at 3AM. Poor him. He must be getting more and more tired. Hope he doesn’t faint again.

2PM’s ‘Hanami’ CF Part 1, WITH Jaebum in it. ‘Hanami’ is a popular Thai snack. Basically they’re prawn crackers. There should be more parts to come.

The much awaited cf that the 2PM boys did in Thailand is now at YT. However this is just a teaser, it is only 17 secs. Video from trendysnack.com.

After Infinity Challenge features 2PM, a new cf was released. Can’t wait for the whole cf.
Thanks for Poon191 for uploading to YT

from 2pm-online.com
Caption: 2PM, What are they doing in Thailand?

Boss: Everyone, be prepared for the fan meeting
But you have to come with this symbol only!
2PM: Where to get it?
Boss: Hurry!

To be continued…

ImageLine die durch die Entwicklung von FruityLoops weltbekannt geworden sind, veröffentlichen ja schon seit langem auch Plugins für PC und Mac. Das neueste Pferd aus diesem Stall ist Sakura, was japanisch ist und Kirschblüte bedeutet. Ob mit dem Plugin wirklich gut Kirschen essen ist, zeigt nun folgender Test.

Sakura von ImageLine

Oberfläche und Gestaltung

Die Benutzeroberfläche von Sakura ist übersichtlich und gut unterteilt. Man wird zwar im ersten Augenblick schon ein wenig von den vielen Reglern überrumpelt, findet sich aber nach den ersten paar Sekunden wieder zurecht. Manche Regler erscheinen durchaus etwas klein, im Test hatte ich aber bei Feinjustierungen mit der Maus keine Probleme. Alle Einstellungsmöglichkeiten sind gut erreichbar.

Die Farben sind gut gewählt, vermitteln sogar ein wenig “Kirschblüten”-Flair und sind nicht zu grell. Auch sonst ist Sakura sehr modern und schön detailreich gestaltet.

Features und Klang

Sakura ist speziell für die Erzeugung oder Nachahmung von allen Arten von Saiteninstrumenten konzipiert worden. Das merkt man auch sofort wenn man sich die ersten Presets angehört hat. Von asiatischen Klängen bis zu tiefen Basssounds ist alles möglich.
Was allerdings nicht so gut gelungen ist sind die Blasinstrumente wie Saxophon oder Panflöte. Hier hört man doch noch sehr stark das Synthetische heraus, genauso wie bei den Violinen. Am besten haben mir die atmosphärischen Klänge, sowie der E-Gitarrensound und die asiatischen Saiteninstrumente gefallen.

Um das ganze so realistisch wie möglich zu gestalten, gibt es bei Sakura im mittleren Bereich des Plugins diverse Möglichkeiten. Auf der linken Seite befinden sich der Exciter, der Hi-Cut und der Low-Cut Bereich. Mit diesen Parametern wird eingestellt ob die Saiten gezupft, gestrichen, geschlagen oder gekratzt werden.

In der Mitte befindet sich der Vibrations-Bereich für die zwei virtuellen Saiten. Hier kann man u. a. das Dämpfungsverhalten und die Nachklingzeit einstellen. Dabei ist es den Entwicklern sehr schön gelungen das ganze auch noch grafisch zu veranschaulichen. Besonders bei den Parametern Amount oder Offset sieht man wie die Feder zusammengedrückt wird und somit mehr Kraft und Druck auf die Saite ausübt.

Ganz links befindet sich der Resonator-Bereich. Dort wird mithilfe von acht Frequenz-Fadern und Feedback-Reglern der Klangkörper simuliert. Im Test konnte ich durchaus bei einigen Presets feststellen, dass man hier den Klang “hohler” oder “voller” einstellen kann.

Abgrundet wird das ganze noch durch einen Modulations-Bereich, in dem durch verschiedene Quellen des Midi-Keyboards (z.B. Anschlagsstärke oder Pitchwheel) gewisse Parameter des Plugins (z.B. der Hi-Cut oder die Dämpfung) verändert werden können. Zudem hat ImageLine Sakura noch drei Master-Effekte spendiert, nämlich Delay, Reverb und Chorus mit denen man die Akustik anreichern kann.

Fazit:

Sakura hat mir gut gefallen, wenn auch einige Instrumente nicht so gut emuliert werden wie z.B. die oben schon erwähnten Blasinstrumente oder Violinen. Ansonsten ist es aber eines der besten Plugins für Saiteninstrument-Sounds, die ich bis jetzt getestet habe, vor allem da die Klänge nicht gesampelt sondern synthetisch erzeugt werden. Auch die vielen Einstellungsmöglichkeiten und die Liebe zum Detail, wie z.B. das VU-Meter im oberen rechten Eck oder die zwei grafisch dargestellten Saiten in der Mitte, sind es auf jeden Fall wert dass man sich dieses Plugin einmal näher ansieht.

Das könnt ihr tun, indem ihr euch z.B. die Demo von der Hersteller-Seite downloaded und selber austestet.

Momentan kostet das Plugin, das für PC und Mac erhältlich ist, 99$!

Hier noch ein Video, dass ich zu dem Plugin gefunden habe:

Yo no naka ni
Taete sakura no
nakariseba
haru no kokoro wa
Nodoke karamashi

If there were no
cherry blossoms
in this world
How much more tranquil
our hearts would be in spring.

(ARIWARA NO NARIHIRA, Kokinshuu)

Here are some photos from the Hanami this year.  Taken around the first week of April, when the cherryblossoms were in full bloom and I was oblivious of the unimaginable things to come. 

somewhere near my apartment

a beautiful sunny day

Inokashira Park was so beautiful it was almost magical

and this was our view while eating our bentous.

Photos were taken using an Orizont 35mm film camera.

Domingo dia 02 de agosto, foi aberta com muita festa, comida e danças típicas do Japão a 31.a Festa das Cerejeiras no bosque do Parque do Carmo. São aproximadamente 1500 árvores de cerejeira plantadas, das variedades Okinawa; Himalya; Yukiwari e Oshibana. Com a presença de também algumas araucárias, amexeiras, ipês, azaléias e até mesmo uma sequóia antes extinta.

O Bosque das Cerejeiras estava lotado de visitantes admirados e encantados com a beleza da floração das Sakuras! O pouco sol que se abriu entre sábado e domingo ajudaram as árvores a completar a floração!

Estivemos com Carlos Tramontina falando da cultura oriental do hanami e também sobre como ter cerejeiras em casa, plantada em vaso! Veja matéria completa clicando no link abaixo ou na imagem do vídeo.

http://sptv.globo.com/Jornalismo/SPTV/0,,MUL1251759-16578,00 HOJE+E+DIA+DE+FESTEJAR+AS+CEREJEIRAS.html

Juliana Gatti - paisagista e educadora ambiental com Carlos Tramontina no programa Antena Paulista - dia 03 de agosto - Bosque das Cerejeiras no Parque do Carmo

Estar em meio ao bosque de cerejeiras é uma sensação maravilhosa de paz, suavidade e conexão com a natureza. As pessoas são acolhidas pelas árvores, dão espaço para a amizade, o ócio criativo, a família, a vida vibrando suas belezas… Formigas andando pelos caules, liquens que indicam a pureza do ar, beija-flores amando o néctar, flores, flores e mais flores para todos os lados! Como se morássemos no paraíso das árvores!

As fotos que tiramos este domingo na festa refletem esses sentimentos e como é rico esse local em sua plena floração!

Árvore da família botânica Rosaceae e do gênero Prunus – o mesmo das ameixeiras, pessegueiros e amendoeiras – as cerejeiras tem uma floração muito exuberante que para acontecer precisa de clima frio e inverno seco. Este ano ficamos muito preocupados com a quantidade de chuva no mês de julho, que além de afetar o tempo da floração das cerejeiras, podemos observar mudanças também no tempo de floração dos ipês roxo e dos amarelos que já estão florindo pela cidade.

Como a floração das cerejeiras é muito efêmera, quem quiser vivenciar esse espetáculo da natureza deve correr!!! É possível que até domingo dia 9 elas ainda estejam bonitas! Para quem puder, uma outra dica de é visitar Campos de Jordão, pois nos próximos dias dizem que terá florações lindas também! No Japão as pessoas costumam viajar por dois meses, desde o sul até o norte cruzando o país, somente para ver as sakuras florindo…

—————————

Para os amantes desta árvore, o Árvores Vivas comercializa mudas de cerejeira para presente e para quem quer ter uma cerejeira pertinho!!! Entrem em contato para maiores informações!

A newspaper review of the recent Hyde Park Blur concert had a line in it that impressed a friend. “Simultaneously euphoric and tragic, it captures the British spirit: its depth comes from an understanding of the sadness at the heart of a good time.” I think we can all relate to the feeling. A day you’ve been looking forward to turns out to be even better than your outrageous expectations, but time doesn’t slow down for it and you’re so sadly aware that it all has to end just like everything else.

There’s a great Japanese expression that points to this feeling called mono no aware (物の哀れ). My dictionary credits it to the 18th-century literary scholar Norinaga Moto’ori who recovered The Tale of Genji from the doldrums of general disinterest, a book that’s since transformed into the shining eight-ball of Japanese literary history (I haven’t read it.) Word for word, mono is ‘object’ or ‘thing’, no is basically ‘of’, and aware – this is where translation gets a little more tricky – could be ‘pity’. In combination we get something like ‘the pathos of all things.’

Turning now to the the wisdom of our world’s collective consciousness, we get a couple of other good suggestions:  ‘an empathy towards things’ and a pretty accurate if heavy-handed ’sensitivity towards ephemera’. At this point I would have had a go at coming up with a killer sentence that brings out once and for all all the subtle connotations of the term, but I’ve sadly spotted an infallible, tried-and-tested, team-worked wikipedia definition which I shouldn’t try and beat: “mono no aware is a term used to describe the transience of things and a bittersweet sadness at their passing.” Bam.

As far as our Moto’ori is concerned mono no aware is what lies at the heart of all beauty, and is the ultimate literary aesthetic. Off the top of my head, and for my own indulgence, it’s what we could say David Lynch’s brilliant if uncharacteristic The Straight Story and Fellini’s timeless La Dolce Vita draw their poignancy from in the film world. In Japan, Yasujiro Ozu (related to Moto’ori, apparently) is the time-honoured master of it. And, crucially, it’s an idea explicitly honoured in Japan’s traditional hanami flower viewing ceremonies that take place over a varying two-week period every year when the ephemeral cherry-blossom trees are in bloom. Its short life and its gently bright colours have made the sakura a embodiment of perfectly fragile beauty, and part of the Met Agency’s duty, come springtime, is to forecast the day they flower so Japan can plan their holidays and their boozy tribute to transience.

The Japanese tradition of hanami, a yearly festival which involves the blossoming of the cherry tree (sakura, also the national flower), understandably influences a great deal of artists over a long period of time. The tradition is thought to have begun during the Nara period (mid 700’s) when the interaction of Japanese and Chinese cultures brought an exchange of ideas and traditions. It is also suggested that during this time period the use of kanji began in Japan based on the original Chinese characters. The hanami festival is, however, a primary part of the year as it heralds spring, the scholastic year, and the new fiscal year. For historical purposes, the trees were utilized for determining the harvests and were given offerings for the gods who lived within them such as in this piece from 1896.

Gekko

Emporers would hold poetry readings and hold festivities in honor of the arrival of the blossoms.

Artistically, Japanese art is often delicate, well balanced, and minimalistic. This offers a more direct idea as to the subject of the work as well as lending an idea to the culture behind the work. Gekko’s piece shows the traditional coloring techniques though it may simply be worn from poor preservation.

Yoshida Hiroshi, 1935

Hirosaki Castle is one of many examples of sakura being used within a painting. Here is is not the main focus but it is certainly meant to emphasize the beauty of the scene behind it and suggests a richly ornamented landscape. The castle itself is relatively new (from the 1600-1800, Edo period) but the technique and stylistic elements are much the same as its historical predecessors. This piece was created utilizing the woodblock printing technique, which requires the dual art of carving and of inking. The woodblock is first carved with the main impression of the piece which is then inked and pressed to paper and then sometimes retouched to create the finished piece. The sun rises behind the palace, perhaps referencing the political influence that was held by Hirosaki during its height. And in the foreground is a swath of blue grey which parallels that of the trees which stand behind the castle creating the overall balance of the piece.

Another contemporary piece which is also a woodblock is Cherry Blossoms and Moon at Matsuyama Castle.

Kawase Hasui, 1953

Similar to the print above this piece portrays a significant architectural work, accented by the cherry tree and either sunlight or moonlight. In this particular piece it is nighttime and the cherry tree is behind rather than in front, emphasizing the strategic significance of the structure which was used for military defense. The construction of the building occurred just before the advent of 250 years of peace which may be why it is portrayed as night time: still, silent and peaceful. The deep tones are both intense and soft, simultaneously while the pink and blue tones are mirrored throughout the moonlight on the walls and rooftop.

Various other pieces alternate in color or in style utilizing either simplicity or more dramatic color schemes which lend depth or a sense of layering to the works.

Koson. 1905

This final piece is fairly typical for woodblock prints focusing entirely upon nature. The birds are perched lightly upon the extraordinarily delicate branch of the sakura tree. They are obviously too heavy to actually sit by two’s on such a small branch but the purpose of the piece is to portray delicacy and focus on the natural balance. Two birds centered on a branch crossing the image diagonally are the epitome of balance. The flowers lend accent and allow for the boldness of the red faces while the falling flower streamlets add an extra angle for increased equilibrium. The angles utilized in the piece are both mathematical and artistic, requiring more than mere patience to create. Harmony was more than just a passing phase of artistic style but infused art and culture throughout much of Japanese history and the sakura was but one aspect of this intricate lifestyle.

drifting petals

Sources:

http://www.heinemannexplore.com/YExplorer/FILES/HELP/demo/Scienceks1/picturebank/sc1plpbt_08.jpg

http://www.japancollection.com/japanese-prints-uview/Yoshida–Hiroshi-Hirosaki-Castle.php?y=1&pid=4750&pg=3&ppp=100

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2128.html

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~nmiyairi/694/webliography/sakura.html

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/hanami.html

http://www.japanlinked.com/about_japan/fha/hanami.html

http://www.malnati.us/woodblock.html

http://home.e-catv.ne.jp/tour-ehime/shiro1.htm

http://www.japancollection.com/japanese-prints-uview/Koson-Barn-Swallows-on-Weeping-Cherry-Tree.php?y=1&pid=557&pg=2&ppp=100

No final do inverno, quando começa a primavera no Japão, as Sakuras (cerejeiras) florescerem. E todo ano, desde os tempos dos samurais, muitas pessoas fazem o ritual do Hanami, que é apreciar a flor da sakura. Vou colar aqui uma matéria antiga da Made in Japan pra descrever melhor isso:

“O começo da primavera é um período corrido para os japoneses. Entre o fim de março e começo de abril, as empresas fecham a contabilidade do ano fiscal, estudantes se formam, relatórios são produzidos. E o florescimento da cerejeira (sakura, em japonês) marca todo esse período de transição.
Se você for ao Japão hoje, verá filas de árvores de cerejeira nas calçadas, carregadas de flores. Os parques com sakuras ficam lotados de visitantes que, à sombra das árvores, fazem piqueniques e admiram o espetáculo cor-de-rosa da natureza.
Há até um nome especial para o ato de observar as flores e celebrar o período: hanami.
As flores de sakura têm um significado muito especial no Japão. Elas estão presentes em letras de canções populares, desenhos de artistas e na cultura pop japonesa, por meio de mangás e animes.
O período de florescimento dura de sete a dez dias. Por isso, as flores estão associadas à efemeridade. Os samurais usavam-na para representar suas próprias vidas: uma explosão de cor por um um breve período, antes de murchar e morrer.”

Duas fotos pra vocês terem uma idéia de como é lá no Japão (ou Nihon, como os descendentes chamam o Japão):

Hanami no Japão

Hanami no Japão

Resolvi falar sobre o Hanami porque estava andando aqui por perto do escritório, na Praça do Japão, em Curitiba, e as Sakuras estão floresencendo… resolvi tirar fotos e vou mostrar aqui pra vocês darem uma olhada.

Aaaahhhh, quero voltar pra lá!! Preciso visitar o Japão em 3 diferentes épocas do ano, pra ver todas as festas lá… que saco…

YOSHI!

There are few peaceful places such as Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Early spring pictures just before hanami (the cherry blossom viewing). About hanali, I’ve just read in an AFP post: yes you can have an alarm on your mobile phone to look at the cherry blossom in Japan. Fantastic, isn’t it? The hugh park has approximately 1,500 sakura (cherry trees) and three different gardens styles. Including a gorgeous Japanese traditional garden with a strange (sort of) velvet lawn and unrealistic gnarled trees. Like in a fairy tale. Eyes free the spirit. Comtemplative.

Subway: Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Line or Sendagaya Station on the JR Sobu Line.

Il est des endroits qui apaisent l’âme: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, veille de printemps et d’hanami (:« regarder les fleurs », en particulier celles des cerisiers). Il existe même « une alerte sur portable pour aller voir fleurir les cerisiers au Japon » (AFP). L’immense parc compte environ 1500 sakura (cerisiers) et trois différents styles de jardins. Dont un superbe, traditionnel japonais à l’étrange pelouse couleur foin d’aspect « velouté » et formes noueuses d’arbres, rendus irréels. Sortilèges de conte de fée. Les yeux vident l’esprit. Contemplatif.

Métro: station Shinjuku Gyoenmae sur la Marunouchi Line, ou la station Sendagaya sur la JR Sobu Line.

My first school was in Konandai in Yokohama.  On my first weekend in Japan, we had a hanami (cherry blossom viewing) party with a few students and staff.  The old teacher was leaving for another school, and I was just starting.  It was a very nice day and sunny.  Here are some pictures.

Cherry blossoms scattered on the ground in Konandai

Some trees still have cherry blossoms!

Another view of the park

Cherry blossoms!

Hanami is a great time.  Every year, I try to get pictures of the cherry trees blooming.  I will eventually get to this year’s cherry trees, which I think was the best I’ve seen so far.

「ようこそジャパン」 (Yokoso Japan!) means “Welcome to Japan!“, and is the Japan National Tourism Organization’s official slogan of their campaign to attract foreign visitors to Japan.

「Yokoso Japan!」 logo

Here are some of their Yokoso Japan! campaign ads.

Most of the scenes in this first one are of Tokyo (there are a few shots of Osaka, etc…but most of it is Tokyo):

These show many parts of Japan:

Do they make you want to visit this beautiful country?

The day before I was set to fly out of Tokyo, a FedEx plane crashed at Narita International Airport, killing both pilots and closing the main runway. It’s hard to stay current with news when you’re on vacation; I didn’t find out until Monday night, and even then the information I had was fragmented and worrying. A delayed or canceled flight is stressful enough; but what about when you’re on vacation in a foreign country where you don’t even speak the language, where you can’t even call anyone because your cellphone isn’t compatible with the networks in that country? After a quick appearance online to assure everyone that I was fine and would keep them informed, I went to bed, uncertain of my plans for the following day.

The runway reopened the next morning, but the situation was still one of confusion as airlines struggled to pick up from being nearly a day behind schedule. The man at the front desk of my hotel was very considerate and called my airline for me to see what the situation would be. I was informed that since my flight was in the evening there shouldn’t be any delays; that things should be sorted out by then. I thanked him and checked out.

Burdened with backpack and dufflebag, I made my way to the Ueno train station. I’d be taking the Keisei Skyliner back to Narita airport, but not until 5pm, so I rented a locker to store my bags in. The rental procedure, like many things in Tokyo, was automated, and when I chose the English option it was a breeze to select my locker size and insert my money. I can’t remember the rates, but for all-day rental they were very reasonable.

I had the entire afternoon to explore Ueno and the weather was nearly perfect for it; although still chilly to a Hawaii girl, the rain had retired and left the sky crisp and clear. It was a perfect day for Hanami, or cherry-blossom viewing, which Ueno Park (just across the street from the train station) is noted for. I wasn’t the only one in the park at such an early hour. The sakura weren’t in full bloom yet, not the cloud of blossoms they would be in a few days’ time, but that didn’t distract from the marvel of seeing delicate pink and white flowers stretching for miles. Everyone had out their cameras, taking shots far and near, panoramics and close-ups and portraits with the blooms. It was one of those times where I didn’t feel self conscious of my camera, because everyone else was as trigger-happy as I was.

The previous night’s bath had eased my foot pain to a degree, and so I walked through the park, taking in the large pond with its array of colorfully painted rowboats, sakura trees swooping low over the water. I delighted at the discovery of colorful tents beneath which food vendors sold a tempting array of meats and vegetables on skewers or in bowls.

Across the bridge, on the opposite side from the train station, was the entrance to the zoo. I paid my 800 Yen and took a map (written only in Japanese, but the pictures were fairly self explanatory). Here I encountered gaggles of school children shepherded by adults, each group wearing a different colored hat. The zoo was the sort that children adore but adults might find saddening; the small cages kept the animals always in view but didn’t offer much in the way of living space.

On the opposite side of the zoo was another entrance, this one leading out to a collection of carnival-esque rides; in reflection I would have liked to ride the merry-go-round, but I’d been too timid to try it alone. The park continued on, with fountains, museums, temples and rows and rows of cherry blossom trees. I took photos at the Hiroshima Memorial, thousands of colorful cranes draped across a block of stone, a dove in the center guarding a flame. It was a strange sensation to be standing there, American girl at such a memorial, and I wondered if Japanese tourists ever feel awkward when they visit Pearl Harbor.

The park continued on but my painful feet and frozen body could not. I’d already taken lunch in the zoo’s cafeteria; I just wanted a place to rest. I headed back toward the train station, back toward civilization. It was at this point that I found and rested in an internet cafe. After an hour of web surfing and melon drink sipping in the warmth, I felt able to head out once again, but this time not into nature. Following the train tracks, I found myself in Ameyoko, a shopping area similar to the one I’d visited in Asakusa, rows and rows of stores crammed with anything and everything you could imagine at a bargain price. I picked up a cute panda purse for only $5 and an even cuter Le Sportsac bag, festooned with rats, and at half the price one might see in America. (Is it a knockoff? Possibly, but frankly I don’t care.)

And one point I noticed a cluster of young men, probably college age, staring at me and giggling (yes, giggling). When they saw me looking they giggled even more, and one boy gave a shy hello. I smiled and said hello back, then continued on my way. The boys continued to follow me, giggling, as far as the intersection, where we parted ways, but not before one gave a cheerful “See you!” It was an experience similar to my previous encounter with schoolchildren in the Asakusa market, and it left me grinning.

I feel like I’m a little behind the curve – Hanami has been knit by everyone and their dog, but rightly so. I’m not that big on flowery, pretty lace most of the time, which is why the geometry of Hanami’s basket weave pattern attracted me. It’s a strong pattern without being too girly, and even the cherry blossom end has a minimalism that I find pleasing. The beads? Those, I can’t explain. I guess even I can’t resist a bit of sparkle.

Hanami basket weave

The yarn is Fiddlesticks Zephyr Wool-Silk, a yarn I’ve worked with before and liked. This is my first large-scale lace work, so the first dozen rows were slow going. But I’m picking up speed and confidence, so look out world! Another Hanami is on its way.

Let me introduce you to our first topic that we are going to talk about: Flower art in Japan.

Japan has a traditional history base in flowers. Their gardens are famous around the world.

Hanami.

It is a festivity day held in Japan in which people from this country along with tourists, joined in parks to observe how cherry trees bloom. These cherry trees are called Sakura. They bloom in March or April and this day is announced by meteorology, so it could vary.

The love japanese people have for nature, takes them to keep improving the studies of the nature´s laws and its application to life. As a consequence, they are looking for balance in nature all time.

Ikebana.

It is the oldest flower art in Japan. Born in 14th century and its study is continious nowadays.

It is the art of making a bouquet taking into account the appearance of the flower and the vase where they are.

 Different types of flower arrangements.

Heika: Is the flower arrangement in which the flowers are put in a cilindric vase in a vertical way…

Nageire:in this ikebana flower arrangement type, the flowers are inserted in different directions and they are put  in a round vase.

Mirimba: In this case the flowers are put in a horizontal way with no specific vase type.

This art has a special consideration for the geometrical lines in the flower arragements, so they can reach the balance in nature. 

CURIOSITIES…

DO YOU KNOW THAT…?

• In Japan people hide speakers into plant pots which are connected to a DVD. The music played is received by the plants. which makes them to grow better. The music vibration strenght them. Keiji Kaga was the inventor .

 You will find all over japanese gardens, the speakers hidden that allows plants to grow in a healthier way.

Flower viewing - or hanami in Japanese, dates back to the Heian period (794-1191). It was the aristocrats together with the imperial family that began celebrating the bloom of sakura (sakura matsuri).  There are well over 200 varieties of sakura trees in Japan but most of which do not bear fruit. Excessive cross-breeding have rendered them infertile, in exchange for more petals. The resulting trees are mass-blooming every spring. From mid-Mars to the end of April, Japanese weather forecasts report the zensen – or sakura front which starts in the south, moving northward as the weather gets warmer. Since both the Japanese school year (and fiscal year) begins in April, the first day of school often coincides with the sakura blossoms.

Nowadays, many people bring food and sit and chat in parks, watching the sakura - the Japanese’s favorite flower. The tradition is many centuries old and there are many symbolic meanings associated with the cherry blossoms. They are often said to describe the ephemerality of life – and of mortality, since they bloom only a few days with some species just lasting a week. In modern times, the cherry blossoms symbolized something more foul. For example, sakura trees were planted during the Korean occupation in the beginning of the 1900’s to claim territories as Japanese. The trees were cut down in 1953 in celebration of the liberation of the Korean peninsula.

Watch these pictures taken in Kungsträdgården (King’s Garden), Stockholm and be aware that summer is just around the corner!

I don’t think these ones are sterile…

If you happen to be in Japan, or just curious, read about famous Japanese hanami spots here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_where.html

Previous post in Nihon no gatsu series.

So sorry for the cheesy title, but I couldn’t resist.

Our knitting group went on another crawl, albeit a mini, more local one. This time, we visited Abuelita’s in South Pasadena and some of us made it to the cupcake bakery down the block but not me . Abuelita’s is a great neighborhood shop and since my LYS recently closed down, I’ve been in search of a new one. This one might just be the ticket. Friendly service plus a good selection of yarns. Sorry, there are no shopping action pictures, but it was a great spot to sit and knit too. We also stopped at Buster’s next door for some refreshment.  That’s a funky, uber cool-in-a-good-way coffee joint, and I brought some recent and not-so-recent FOs for a photo shoot in the shop. But first, here’s a picture of my repast, just because I like the colors of this picture (and I also liked the food and drink very much).

That's a berry scone and a tea latte. Mmmmmm....

Lately, I’ve been bingeing on Malabrigo. What’s not to love and why wouldn’t you want to gorge yourself on this sumptuous yarn? Amazingly soft, vibrant colors, generous yardage and reasonably priced.

No, I don't usually wear handknit shrugs with scarves.

And no, I'm NOT pregnant, even though it looks like it in this top. Must. Rethink. Blouse.

Project: Belinda by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne from the second Mason Dixon book

Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino in Lettuce (the Best Malabrigo color Ever IMHO), about 1 1/2 skeins

Needles: Knit Picks Options, US size 11

Start: April 22nd

Finish: May 14th

Thoughts: I originally saw the Malabrigo Silky Merino knitted up in a lace sample but the shop didn’t have the book with the lace pattern. Quite by accident, I came across the Belinda scarf on the Mason Dixon blog, where one of them knit a half-Belinda for the other. My eyes popped out as I realize that was the lace pattern I’d been searching for! Mary lent me the book and I was off to the races. The original Belinda shawl is two layers of the pattern with one turned 90 degrees and placed on top. It’s supposed to look like knitted 3D plaid or something like that. I reworked the numbers, and made mine with 5 “window panes” across. I like my simple 2D version better.

This picture shows the cherry blossoms and ruffles better than the other but the lighting bugs me in this one.

I like this picture of the stole better because of the lighting.

Project: Hanami Stole by Melanie Gibbons

Yarn: Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud, 2 skeins

Needles: Knit Picks Classic Circulars, US size 2s

Start: June 22, 2008

Finish: October 6, 2008

Thoughts: About three years ago, I had written somewhere, perhaps in someone’s comments, that the project i feared most was Hanami. I obsessed over it for a long time.  The sheerness, the beauty of the lace patterns, the smooth transitions, the wonderful story behind the stole. It had me at “Hello.”  Last summer, as the second transcontinental mini kal with Silvia and Madge, and part of our knitting group’s Summer of Lace kal, we took a big breath and tackled Hanami. I was the last to finish it up, but who’s keeping track anyway? It’s amazingly soft and warm. I was going crazy with the basketweave pattern and couldn’t wait to be done, so I shortened it to five repeats, I think, instead of the recommended seven. Now I wish i had done all seven because I like my scarves longer. Even so, it’s the knitting project that I am most proud of.

Project: One Skein – A Stole! (English Version) by Katja Jordan

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn, can’t remember the color number but it’s the olive green and black one, 1 skein

Needles: Knit Picks Options, US size 9

Start: February 10th

Finish: February 15th

Thoughts: I fell in love with this sock yarn when I saw the olive green against the black. Imagine my disappointment, when I got  a teeny bit of green at one end, a batch in the middle of the scarf where it falls at the back of my neck, and a touch at the other end. I was mesmerized by the long color repeats, but mostly watching for more olive green to show up. I didn’t expect the teal blue or the grey, nor was I necessary excited to see their presence. After blocking it and stretching it out, it has softened a good amount, and I have worn it quite a lot, but more as a scarf. It’s not quite long enough to do the parisian wrap thing but it keeps me warm in a pinch.