Gung Hei Fat Choi!
That's from the Cantonese version of "Happy New Year!"
Thursday Feb 3 is Chinese New Year, so that makes today New Years Eve. This is the Year of the Rabbit, which is supposed to be a calmer year than the preceding Year of the Tiger.
The Rabbit symbolizes graciousness, good manners, good judgment, kindness and sensitivity to beauty.
Those of us who collect colorful fabrics have an appreciation and sensitivity to beauty. We have an eye for that one special piece that speaks to us from the crowded shelves or the flea market stalls.
Which brings me to my Creative Nudge Photo of the Week. It was just a few days ago that I got up at 6 am to catch a train with friends, and travel to a once-a-month flea market in Kawagoe, about an hour out of Tokyo. I went with some avid bargain hunters, and we all had a different sort of treasure in mind when we arrived early at the flea market in front of the temple.
I spent about 2 hours at the flea market, but I was more interested in taking photos, than buying things. I photographed bins full of indigo and ikat fabrics, vintage kimonos & obi sashes, blue and white antique porcelain, pre-war stamp collections, trays of glass beads and wooden dolls, matriarchs in winter kimonos and fur collars, young people dressed in vintage pre-war costume, handwoven baskets, iron teapots, and jumbled kitschy toys from the 50's with the barest cutesy glimmer of what would become Anime.
How fascinating to see all of this! – so different from what I would find in a local US flea market. I mean, yes obviously it is going to be different, but to have the experience and take my time to gaze at all of it without rushing…that was a real luxury. It made me think about how immersing ourselves in another culture's aesthetic waters – without rushing – is perhaps not a luxury but a necessity for those of us who like to look for something special in the midst of the hodgepodge.
..and it doesn't necessarily have to be in another country. I've had the same experience traveling to New Orleans, Seattle, Florida, etc.
So here is my treasure that I brought home – out of all the flea market photos I took – this one is my favorite. I didn't even think for a minute about buying the vase and trying to bring it home, because all I really needed was the inspiration of these gorgeous glazed colors. Maybe someone reading this will post on my blog and tell me about this piece, but the color speaks to me so directly that I can feel the smile of the artist when it was removed from the kiln and the glowing hues were seen for the first time. What I really love is the play between the strong golden yellow, and the subtle mauve accents. I am going to have to go play with this color combination now.
