Lumi Mizutani

Dancing cranes II by Lumi Mizutani - Small Japanese style painting, gold, birds

2022

The other shore is a unique painting by contemporary artist Lumi Mizutani. The painting is made with pigments, India ink on Japanese cardboard, dimensions are 12.1 × 13.6 cm (4.8 × 5...

Nocturn IV is a unique painting by contemporary artist Lumi Mizutani. The painting is made with Japanese pigments and gold leaves on Japanese paper mounted on panel. This artwork is ...

The frame for this work is made of paulownia wood taken from antique Kiritansu - chest-of-drawers for kimono. I use antique kiritansu that can’t be used as furniture anymore to create basis and frames for my works. It adds them even more authentic atmosphere of traditional wabisabi spirit. Can you feel it? The piece uses the concept of "kintsugi" - it "unites" the pieces of antique kimono back together with golden leaf to give it a second wind as art work. << Period / Story >> The kimono used in this piece was originally crafted during the late Showa period (1960-80ies). << Explanation and meaning of pattern and colors >> The Japanese saying goes, "A crane lives a thousand years, a tortoise lives ten thousand years," making cranes a symbol of longevity. Cranes are also known for staying with the same partner for their entire lives, which is why they are often used at weddings and other celebrations to symbolize "marital bliss" and the desire for harmony between husband and wife. On this particular piece, cranes are flying through snow woven on the fabric, as if they are overcoming all the disasters to get to their beloved ones. The color scarlet, or deeply dyed red, used for the most of the cranes here, has long been associated with the meaning of "warding off evil." It is believed to possess the power to repel malevolent forces and invite good fortune. During the Heian period, scarlet was reserved for sacred buildings and ceremonial objects that held great significance. Ordinary people were prohibited from wearing scarlet-red kimonos, which made it a highly special color. << Characteristics of the fabric >> Cranes, going up and down, are generously decorated by kimpaku here. "Kimpaku" (金箔) refers to gold leaf/foil in Japanese. Gold leaf is a traditional material used in various aspects of Japanese culture, including art, crafts, and even in culinary applications. In traditional Japanese art, gold leaf is often applied to religious objects, sculptures, paintings, and lacquerware to create a luxurious and decorative effect. The use of gold leaf in art dates back centuries and is associated with a sense of wealth, prestige, and the divine. Traditional kimpaku technique is used here to make an accent decoration in the middle. << About the frame >> This artwork frame is crafted from paulownia wood, a uniquely Japanese material closely tied to the world of kimonos, and it serves to convey the refined beauty of Japanese nature. Paulownia wood is known as the lightest wood in Japan, prased for its natural luster, resistance to moisture, and resilience against cracking. Since ancient times, it has been used in crafting furniture, chests, and musical instruments. Paulownia wood is closely linked to kimono culture. During the Edo period, it became customary to store cherished kimonos in paulownia chests...

3874 Japanese gouache landscape with trees and cranes Set in brass finish metal frame