3rd Month: Yayoi

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Go-shita-yashiki Haru no Asobi

The third month of the traditional Japanese lunisolar calender is named 'Yayoi', "New Life". It signals the beginning of spring. Now is the time to think of layers in reds, whites, and pinks- especially if the red and white is layered to look pink at a distance! How beautiful~ Sakura are already beginning to bloom, hanami (flower-viewing) parties are being held, and sakura 'forecasts', like weather forecasts, are being made all over Japan this time of year!

Deep indigos may speak to the leaving of the cold, whereas deep purple (also a 'cold' colour) may be in fashion until the cherry blossoms are more prominent, provided that the accessories are in reds, pinks, and whites, with the distinction between ume and sakura being made. As for myself, I think a sakura-pink kimono with white petals, peach blossoms, daffodils, or other seasonal motifs such as peonies or spring rabbits (or perhaps just a seasonless pattern, such as clouds) with a red, green, and white obi featuring similar motifs could be worn.

Indeed, even in America, we are releasing postage stamps with a sakura design to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the gift of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington D.C. from Tokyo. They are very pretty. If you can, I suggest getting a sheet of your own, since American stamp designs tend to be limited in printing and the design will disappear soon. <3