Kakemono Flowers and Autumn Leaves

A dense cluster of small white and yellow blossoms meets falling maple leaves colored a fiery red – a composition that evokes both spring and autumn alike, thereby creating an unusual temporal tension. The blossoms are set in bold dabs of color in white, yellow, and delicate turquoise, while the maple leaves are contoured in clear orange-red with fine vein lines. A dark, broad sweep of ink in the background ties the elements together into a coherent overall composition. The juxtaposition of such different natural motifs creates a decorative, almost collage-like image that deliberately sets itself apart from more classical, seasonally unambiguous depictions.

This kakemono comes in a wooden box (tomobako) and makes a colorful, unusual accent for the tokonoma.