Behind Japan Collection II
Sakura (Cherry Blossom)
Cherry blossoms, also known as Sakura in Japanese, are the flowers of cherry trees that bloom in spring. These blossoms are celebrated for their exquisite beauty and are culturally significant in Japan.
The Sakura design, with heart-shaped petals, aims to symbolise not only the transient nature of life, beauty, and renewal but also the love and appreciation people have for these enchanting blooms.
Retro Style Sakura
We wanted to incorporate retro style elements within our Japan collection and came up with the idea of a Sakura character holding up peace signs. Retro art illustrates a style reminiscent of an earlier time, and our Sakura character adds a playful nod to vintage aesthetics while capturing the timeless charm of Japanese culture.
The peace sign is a popular pose in Japanese culture. Its origins are not specifically Japanese, but has gained popularity and cultural significance in Japan over the years.
Fuji Blossom Summit
Created by the talented Splitoider. The northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko provide the magnificent sight of Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms capturing the essence of beauty that inspired our Fuji Blossom Summit Heavy Tee.
Mt. Fuji, also known as Fujisan, is an iconic and active stratovolcano located in Honshu, Japan. It is Japan's highest peak, standing at 3,776 meters. Mt. Fuji is a symbol of Japan that holds cultural significance in Japanese art and literature.
Samurai
A samurai was a member of the Japanese warrior class during the 12th to 19th century. Samurai were highly skilled and served as the military nobility of Japan. They adhered to a strict code of conduct known as "bushido," which emphasised values such as loyalty, honor, and self-discipline.
The samurai wore distinctive armor, including a helmet known as a kabuto to protect themselves in battle. We created a kabuto with striking features to showcase the intricate details of the helmet.
Oni Half Mask
Oni masks are a common element in Japanese art and culture, and they are often used in various festivals and theatrical performances, such as Noh and Kabuki. In festivals and performances, oni masks are used to represent the mythical creatures and are often worn by participants to chase away evil spirits or to bring good luck.
The Oni half mask has a striking and dramatic visual effect when worn but were not used in battle for armor purposes.
Geisha
Geisha, meaning "person of the arts", is a traditional Japanese female entertainer who is skilled in various Japanese arts, such as classical music, dance, games, and conversation. They are an integral part of Japanese cultural heritage and have been present in Japan for centuries.
We wanted to create a fusion of Geisha, ninja and Oni mask to blend traditional elements. However, all three are not associated with each other and each element had distinct roles ([Geisha - entertainers][Ninjas - warriors] [Oni Mask - festivals & performances].
Samurai Cat
Cats and samurais were not associated with each other, though contemporary art and popular culture often playfully depict cats as samurai warriors, creating imaginative connections between two elements of Japanese culture.
