Nandina for a happy year
In Japan, plants are not only beautiful, they also tell stories. One of these silent, often overlooked storytellers is the nandina (Nandina domestica), also known as heavenly bamboo, which is called nanten (南天) in Japan.
The dance of grasses and colours
Autumn is a season that never ceases to surprise us. While many lament the falling temperatures and shorter days, nature is showing one of its most impressive sides right now. Grasses in particular, often inconspicuous in summer, are now taking center stage and, together with the colorful autumn hues, creating an impressive spectacle.
Aki no Nanakusa - 7 Grasses of Autumn
The Seven Grasses of Autumn (秋の七草) are a recurring motif in classical Japanese poetry. They are often found in the verses of the Manyoshu, the oldest collection of Japanese songs and poems.
Growth, space, light
It is a feeling - of growth, of space, of light. Green grain, wide skies and golden sunsets tell of life unfolding. They remind us how beautiful it is to be in the moment - before everything ripens, before the pace picks up. Now is the time to take a deep breath. To observe. To marvel. Summer has only just begun.
Doves for peace / A dialog
The dove is regarded worldwide as a symbol of peace - but it is not just white and fleeting. Since ancient times, it has carried messages through wars, and after the Second World War, Pablo Picasso's “La Colombe” made it a universal symbol of a humanity longing for reconciliation.
Hanami - Japan's blooming spring festival
Every spring, Japan's parks and gardens are transformed into a sea of pastel-colored blossoms. Hanami, the traditional cherry blossom festival, is a cultural highlight that brings people together and celebrates the transience of life.
Beauty and elegance
The magnolia is one of the oldest flowering plants on earth and enchants with its extraordinary beauty and elegant appearance. Magnolias existed millions of years ago, long before bees took over pollination. Instead, it is beetles that pollinate the large, fragrant flowers.
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Hina Matsuri - Doll festival
Hina Matsuri (雛祭り), also known as the “girls' festival” or “doll festival”, is celebrated in Japan every year on March 3. It is a traditional festival that wishes happiness and health for girls and is deeply rooted in Japanese culture.
Tomarifune and tazettes
A harmony of flowers
The name Tomarifune carries a deep symbolic meaning. "Tomari" means "standing" or "still", while "fune" is the Japanese word for "boat". These terms embody the idea of a barque or ship at rest in the stillness of the water, a metaphor for the calm and serenity often sought in ikebana.
Merry Christmas
As is the case every year, Christmas is just around the corner and people are thinking about presents for their loved ones, meeting up for a punch or mulled wine at the Christmas market and looking forward to a peaceful festive season.