Japanese Prints

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72 Glossary Azalea A symbol of temperance, passion and womanhood. Bamboo Growing wild throughout Japan, bamboo has long been used in a variety of ways, from food source to building material. It is an auspicious plant, and in the Orient is linked with confucian human virtues. Its evergreen leaves connote ‘constancy’, the evenly spread nodes signify ‘moderation’, and its bending in the wind implies ‘moral resilience’. combined with animals it has several meanings. for example, bamboo and the sparrow together signify friendship, while the bamboo and the tiger imply safety. An image of bamboo reminds us to be resilient and to stand upright against obstacles. Bat A symbol of prosperity and happiness that was imported from china. The characters for ‘bat’ and ‘good luck’ are pronounced alike in chinese and Japanese. Boat It is said that sailing boats bring wealth from beyond the ocean. The seven lucky gods are often depicted on a treasure ship, a symbol of good fortune. Bridge Signifies a route blessed to take to salvation. A zigzag bridge prevents evil spirits from crossing, since it was believed ghosts and evil spirits could only move in straight lines. Buddha Statue represents mercy and enlightenment. Statues or images of Buddha are used as talismans against evil. Butterfly Symbolising spring, they are associated with happiness and joy. favoured for the dual nature of its delicate and elegant symmetry, and its transcendent evolution from a lowly caterpillar to noble insect, the butterfly also signifies metamorphosis or transformation. In Japanese lore souls and spirits take the shape of a butterfly, therefore they are seen as the personification of a dead or living person’s soul. Often associated with traditional Shinto weddings, two butterflies dancing about one another symbolise marital happiness. Camellia The camellia is known as the flower that brings spring. It has long been regarded as a symbol of longevity, love, happy marriage, fortune, victory and happiness. Camphor trees Often gracing Shinto shrines, their stature, compelling aroma, and long life provide an appropriate symbolic meaning of longevity and good fortune. Canna The flower of passion and respect. Carp drawing on a chinese legend of a fish so strong and persistent that it could leap a waterfall, the Koi’s determination to overcome obstacles is held to be a fitting example of ambition, strength and the will to overcome difficulties. With the power to fight its way up swift streams, it symbolises persistence, bravery and strength as well as surpassing expectations. It therefore embodies the attributes desired in boys. The boys’ festival is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month. Balloon carps are hoisted on a long pole set in the garden or attached to the roof of the house. Usually a carp is flown for each son. Koi swimming upstream are also interpreted as showing the philosophy of non-conformism since they do not “go with the flow”. This signifies independence of the mind. Since they can live for centuries, Koi are also a symbol of immortality. Castle The castle demonstrated the political and military strength and wealth of the samurais and feudal lords. It is now recognised as a symbol of strength. Cat Statues or images of cats are often placed in Japanese shops and businesses as a lucky charm, in the hope that the establishment will prosper. The most popular kind of lucky charm in Japanese stores is a figurine which has the shape of a cat waving its paw; the “Maneki neko”. The cat whether it keeps away pests or attracts customers, symbolises success and good fortune.
Henry Sotheran Limited 73 Cherry Blossom The pride of Japan; the coronation of spring breaks out into pink clouds of blossoms that gradually spread over the land in early April. Stemming from ancient Shinto beliefs, cherry blossoms have been historically revered by the Japanese. cherry blossom or “sakura” is generally believed to be a corruption of the word “sakuya” (blooming) from the name of a mythical princess who is enshrined on the top of Mt fuji. Her name literally means “tree-flowersblooming-princess”, because she dropped from heaven onto a cherry tree. Ever since its close connection with Shinto, the cherry blossom has been considered the most spiritually pure of flowers. They transform the country into a fairyland which has given Japan its floral name of “The Land of the cherry-Blossom”. As symbols of the beauty and purity of life and of how quickly it fades away, they remind us all to live and enjoy life to the full. Chrysanthemum Is one of the four noble flowers (the others being the plum blossom, the orchid, and bamboo). The flower of autumn meditation and fullness, it symbolizes not only a long life but also a complete and content one. Since it blooms after summer, it is associated with aspects of autumn such as relaxation after the harvest season and periods of quiet contemplation. It can also symbolise sanctuary and refuge. The chrysanthemum’s link to longevity draws from its physical appearance. circular and symmetric with centric rays, it is a solar symbol associated with life, longevity and Japan itself. As a symbol of the nation, the emperor of Japan adopted it as his crest and it is depicted on the Imperial Seal. Cockerel A symbol of potency and power because of its propensity for fighting. Crane One of the three major mystical animals, together with the dragon and the tortoise. Its chief symbolic meaning is long life. With their lifespan of some thirty years, cranes were thought to live not just decades but thousands of years, becoming virtually synonymous with immortality. At Japanese weddings it is a symbol of loyalty. Also associated with the qualities of honour and wisdom, cranes were believed to be intermediaries between heaven and earth, a messenger of the gods to humans, thus symbolising the spiritual ability to enter a higher state of consciousness. furthermore, the crane also represents a lasting soaring spirit, health, and happiness. Their white bodies stand for purity and their red heads denote vitality. Crow The crow represents filial devotion and is also associated with chinese astrological and cosmic philosophy. It is said that a threelegged crow (yatagarasu) lives in the sun. In Japanese art crows are therefore depicted with the sun as a background. A white heron and a black crow are symbolic of day and night. Daffodil (Narcissus) represents respect and hospitality. Dahlia represents dignity and elegance. Dove Although the dove is a messenger of the God of war (Hachiman), it is also considered a symbol of peace as in the west. As messengers of Hachiman they were sent out primarily to avert conflict. Dragon As symbols of wisdom, strength, goodness and longevity, an impressive representation of a dragon can be of tremendous positive benefit to the owner. first in the hierarchy of mythical creatures in Japan, the dragon was one of the four animals symbolising the cardinal points associated with the east; the dragon stood for sunrise, spring and fertility. dragons were benevolent spirits associated with happiness and prosperity, and unlike European dragons, were kind to humans. Duck An auspicious symbol in Japanese literature and poetry, an image of a duck endows prints with an aura of good luck. They primarily represent happiness in marriage and fidelity. Falcon A symbol of regal power, as it became a favourite pastime of the aristocracy and samurai to hunt with falcons. It is also a symbol of keen endeavour and success, as well as boldness. Fans The fan stands for many things. The Japanese believe that the handle of the fan symbolises the beginning of life and the ribs are for the roads of life going out in all directions. It also symbolises friendship, respect and good wishes and is a gift that is given to people on special occasions.
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