A figure famous for his more realistic take on ukiyo-e style painting, Sakai Hoitsu’s (1761 – 1828) work is as historically significant as it is aesthetically stunning. Mainly based in Kyoto, he spent much of his career working to revive the art of Ogata Korin, an artist whose work he reproduced on multiple occasions. Although much of his career was defined by his recreations of Korin’s work, this piece – created in 1805 – is an excellent example of Hoitsu’s individualistic thinking. The painting was crafted from six-panel folding screens; ink, and shiny gold leaf on paper and features a cherry blossom tree painting in a way we don’t typically see in Japanese art. While the trees are a common subject, rarely do they feature entirely solo in this way.
12 Best Cherry Blossom Arts & Crafts You Will Love
As the days start getting longer, the cool wintery chill begins to thaw, and a sense of hopefulness permeates through the air, it means one thing, it’s time for spring, and time for cherry blossom season!
Throughout the centuries, Japan has celebrated the arrival of cherry blossoms through a variety of art forms, from ceramics to kimono to lacquerware, and everything in between. In celebration of the arrival of spring and the diverse representation of cherry blossoms in Japanese art, here are some of our favorite cherry blossom arts and crafts.
Cherry Blossom Ceramics
Crafted by renowned Japanese ceramicist, Ninami Dohhachi (1783-1855), this 19th-century piece is an excellent example of the artist’s ability to turn everyday objects into delicate pieces of art. After spending his early career working in Awata, in 1842, he set up a kiln in Fushimi, near Kyoto, he became one of the leading figures in the world of Kyo-yaki.
The soft white cherry blossoms, seen here dancing in harmony with the contrasting red maple leaves (known as momiji) was one of the ceramicists’ most iconic motifs. It’s a celebration of Japan’s most famous flowers and the hopeful and temperate season in which they appear, if only for a brief moment.
Kanzashi Cherry Blossom Hair Ornaments
Hanakanzashi are both practical and delicate floral-themed hair decorations, worn by Japanese maiko – geisha in training – and also worthy pieces of art in themselves. Worn on a monthly rotation, maiko typically have 13 hanakanzashi in their possession, one for each month and a separate one to be worn during the Gion Festival. This sakura artwork from Kyoto kanzashi store Kintakedo (see map) is an excellent example of a spring piece, which would be worn in April. With its soft pink flowers, golden and green finishes, it’s sure to turn heads.
How to make paper cherry blossoms
The template shapes to follow for making the various elements.
Native Share
- Fringe 2.5cm x 2.5cm (1” x 1”) ribbons of white crepe paper.
- Cut the fringed ribbons into 1cm (½”) lengths. You will need approximately 20 ribbons to make the number of flowers on the stem pictured.
- Glue and wrap the ribbons around 10cm (4”) lengths of thin stub wire.
- Cut 2.5cm (1”) ribbons of white and pink crepe.
Native Share
- Outstretch and cut out No.1 petal temples. You need 4-6 per flower head.
Native Share
- Place the petals evenly around the fringed centre.
- Cut 5cm (2”) ribbons from a mix of different pink crepes and colour if desired.
- Using No.2 petal template, cut 10-14 petals per flower. I like to make a bunch and mix the different pinks.
- Cut 10 petals from No.3 petal template. Cup and curl these petals.
Native Share
- Colour 2.5cm (1”) ribbons of green crepe with a little maroon or red medium.
- Cut 5 sepals for each flower from this crepe, using the sepal template.
- Glue to the back of the flowers.
- Make as many leaves as you like. You can use coloured green crepe or a lovely bronze or copper would work really well.
Native Share
- Wrap the stems of the flowers and the leaves together using ribbons of coloured green crepe.
- Make bunches of 4-6 flowers and attach them with floral tape to thick stub wire.
Native Share
- Wrap over the tape with ribbons of coloured green crepe paper.
- If you want to add leaves, attach the smaller ones to the top of a thick length thick stub wire, using floral tape. This will form the main branch for the flowers to sit on.
- Add two larger leaves a couple of inches below the small leaves.
- Now start adding the bunches of blossom alternately either side of the stem, attaching with floral tape as you go along.
- Once all the blossom bunches are attached, use the floral tape to thicken the base of the stem.
Native Share
- Cover the floral tape with ribbons of crepe. I used coloured green crepe at the top of the stem, merging into grey/brown crepe for the bark. The bark of the Cherry Blossom ‘Kanzan’ starts reddish brown and later turns brownish grey and furrowed. Use different colours of brown and maroon crepe to create this distinctive look.
Most Popular
Tech entrepreneur Rose Hulse brings sophisticated comfort to her Georgian home
By Virginia Fraser
Mary Berry’s former Buckinghamshire home hits the market for £3.5 million – see inside
By Christabel Chubb
Jo Rodgers’ guide to buying gifts for people who don’t do ‘stuff’
By Jo Rodgers
Native Share
Read More
Decoration
Inside the technicolour world of marbled paper specialist Nat Maks
By Christabel Chubb
Houses
An 18th-century French townhouse rendered in painterly tones by the founders of Antoinette Poisson
Make a Japanese Cherry Blossom Branch Using Ink and Tissue Paper
Description: Students will learn about Japan and the cherry blossom branch. They will view images of sumi-e art and its nature-inspired simplistic qualities. They will create a branch using black India ink and tissue paper.
Author: Dayna Ensminger
Grade level or Target Age Range: Elementary Level, ages 8+
Historical Art Examples or References: Sumi-e artwork
Vocabulary: Sumi-e, cherry blossom branch, bamboo brush, overlap, collage
Materials: Construction paper 9×12, black India ink, paint brushes (preferably bamboo brushes, but regular will do), containers for ink, containers for water, paper towels, Elmer’s glue, tissue paper squares
Directions:
1. Discuss Japan: what we know about the history, culture, geographical location, etc. Encourage a group discussion on cherry blossom branches and make connections to where you’ve seen them before and what colors the blossoms are.
2. View images of sumi-e art and discuss the easiness or difficulty of painting with just black ink.
3. Teacher will demo how to use the India ink. Show students that since we are using construction paper, the paper absorbs the ink very quickly. Show students the base of the branch should be the thickest part, and gradually get thinner as it breaks or “branches” away toward the sides of the paper.
4. Students begin painting their branches. They are encouraged to take their time and use the water and napkins to fix their bristles if they get too wide.
5. Let brush soak in water.
6. Use Elmer’s glue to ‘dot’ where you would like the blossoms to be.
7. Gently pinch and crumple tissue paper squares and press onto glue dots.
8. Enjoy your beautiful Japanese cherry blossom branches!
When I taught this lesson at Cione Recreation Center, I started by asking the students to share and discuss what they know about Japan. Many students had ideas including sushi, noodles/ramen, fish, the unique architecture, and other traditions of Japanese culture. I asked if anyone knew of or has seen a Japanese cherry blossom tree. Some of the students were familiar, as they’ve created something similar with their art teachers in school. I showed an image of cherry blossoms to the students and explained what we’d be creating.
I stressed the importance of being careful with the ink, as it could stain their clothing if they are not careful! The students understood and were eager to use the material. I show them my example and showed them how to paint a branch. They could follow me as I painted, or they could just dive right in and create their own branch. There’s no wrong answer here!
We found ourselves straying a bit from the typical cherry blossom branch — which are typically white and pink flowers — and getting colorful with orange, blue, and yellow! Our atypical cherry blossom branches were fun, bright and perfect for summer!
