KIMONO

A dress, a decoration, a culture: the Kimono.

The kimono (着物 literally "thing to wear" and therefore "dress") has a long tradition, it seems that to get to the model of the Japanese kimono there were influences of the royal clothes of the Mongolian and Manchi peoples, Later this dress developed in China and finally arrived in Japan. The kimono can be defined as a work of art, in fact many of the Japanese artists were almost exclusively involved in painting the fabrics intended for the realization of these garments. The decorations and colors reflected the seasons and the moods associated with them, as well as moments and lifestyles, showing how Japanese culture was in tune with nature.

Some colors were associated with the months of November and February and took the name of "Ume -gasane" (shades of plum flowers), March and April were associated with a combination called "shades of wisteria", Summer and spring were instead represented by the yellow and orange colors, and included the ocean waves and the red maple leaves. Snowy landscapes were instead a clear reference to winter.Decorations with drawings of bamboo and pine trees, were instead considered as signs of prosperity and good luck.

Characterized by the beauty of the Iris, flower with six petals, of which the three smallest (sometimes seem more numerous) are directed upwards, while the three largest go downwards, on a tall stem with long and narrow pointed leaves, Ayame, whose flower is associated with the month of May and the meaning of good news and fidelity, also symbolizes the children’s festival, which in Japan is celebrated, in fact, the 5th of May, an anniversary celebrated since the EDO period (1603 - 1867)In this day, children had fun with playful battles with iris leaves

Wisteria, composed of many small flowers inseparable from each other, is a symbol of true friendship. Being a very long-lasting plant, which even exceeds the century of life, it also contains a strong meaning of immortality. Always an important part of the traditional culture of Japan, we find it depicted on the coats of arms of Japanese families as a symbol of longevity, union, genuine friendship, and was also celebrated in festivals organized by the nobility at the end of the Heian period (794 -1185).

Translated literally it means "flowers of fire"; the word hanabi is in fact formed by the two ideograms, "flower" and "fire". Hanabi, contains in itself both the charm of flowers, dear to all Japanese (very famous are the cherry blossoms that every year attract many tourists), that the passion for fireworks, that for the Japanese are very important and represent both a moment of reflection (linked to the memory of the first fireworks launched in 1732 in honor of the victims of the famine that struck the island of Kyushu), that an opportunity to gather together and celebrate.

the meaning of the word is "observe the flowers" (da hana= flowers and mi= see), and it is in fact the traditional Japanese event that consists in celebrating and enjoying the beauty of the flowers, especially the cherry blossoms (Sakura)watching them bloom in the beautiful spring days. The Hanami consists of an outdoor party under cherry trees that lasts one or two weeks; from mid-January to early May the Sakura bloom throughout Japan and in April, in full bloom, begins this magnificent event, born many centuries ago. It is said that this custom found its origins during the Nara period (710-794), when the Tang Chinese Dynasty influenced Japan in many ways bringing many traditions and customs into the Rising Sun.

One of these traditions was to enjoy the beauty of flowers in the spring, especially cherry blossoms (Sakura).

Everyone, but everyone, has seen it at least once, in a book, a magazine, as a desktop background, in an advertisement. When we talk about The Great Wave of Kanagawa we are referring to a legendary work, icon of Asian art, the best known work of art in the history of Japan, very popular all over the planet.

The work was created in 1830 by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, and is part of the series of prints "Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji". The story tells that the artist, at the age of seventy, was facing a particularly complex moment. To the suffering for the recent death of the wife serious economic restrictions were added aggravated from the problems of game of a grandson that Hokusai had to load. Already quite established as an artist, Hokusai was forced to face a kind of fugitive, fleeing from creditors. It was in this difficult context that the artist decided to create a project that he had in mind for decades. The series dedicated to Mount Fuji, the true symbol of Japan, of which The Great Wave would become the most representative image.

For centuries, in Japan, the Chrysanthemum is considered the symbol of the imperial family because it represents immortality. As for our wallpaper collection, the chrysanthemum has been a source of inspiration for many poems and is the flower symbol of autumn, linked to strength and resistance: It is in fact a flower that blooms in winter, facing the adversities of the cold. It is also associated with Rejuvenation and longevity, in fact, of the tissue wet in its lymph was rubbed on the skin during the "Day of the Chrysanthemum" (the 9th day of the 9th month) in the hope of preserving the youth of the person.

In Japan traditions are important, and nengajo is part of it. It is a New Year’s card that is sent to friends, relatives and colleagues, with best wishes for the year ahead. Despite today’s world is now mostly digital, many Japanese still use to write by hand and send nengajo postcards by mail. Nengajos can be purchased in stationery, post offices or stations, and are proposed with different graphics and designs: some have the symbols of the Chinese zodiac, others instead have special drawings related to certain periods of the year, Others are very simple and have the space to write a message, finally there are nengajo that can be customized according to your creativity, just like for our creative coatings!

The flower of the plum (Ume), extremely similar to the cherry, is much loved in Japan, because its flowering takes place early, during the winter months, when the earth is still covered with snow. For the courage with which this flower challenges the rigor of winter, it represents hope and resistance to the difficulties of life. For this reason, overcoming the adversities of winter is also a symbol of high feelings, nobility of mind and strength.

KIMONO

The new wallpaper collection by Pixie group that crosses geographical boundaries

brings us in direct contact with the charm and wonders of Eastern culture.