How Japan and Nature Inspire My Handmade Creations 🌿✨

How Japan and Nature Inspire My Handmade Creations 🌿✨

If you've ever read my story, you’d know that Work by Nature was born from a period of deep stress when I was immersed in the fast-paced commercial world. Back then, I often visited Japan—a place that felt like a retreat for my soul. However, the pandemic kept me away for five long years. Finally, in early November, I returned to Japan and ventured into the serene countryside near Mount Fuji. It was there that I found myself captivated by the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum (久保田一竹美术馆).

This museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing an intricate Japanese kimono-dyeing technique, with breathtaking pieces on display. But what truly struck me wasn’t just the textiles—it was the surrounding gardens. The founder, I believe, must have poured a deep love for traditional Japanese gardening into every corner of the space. There was an undeniable presence of wabi-sabi (侘び寂び)—the profound beauty found in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness.

Walking through the garden, I found myself slowing down, mesmerized by the tiny details: moss blanketing the ground, a hole in a weathered stone, and the miniature universes hidden in these imperfect forms. It reminded me how much we’ve been conditioned to chase perfection and completion in everything we do. But nature teaches us otherwise.

Being back in Japan reminded me that beauty doesn’t have to be perfect. What matters is the authenticity of the moment and the intention behind it. This realization grounds my work. Each handmade piece I create is a reflection of those tiny fragments of nature—a little warmth and simplicity meant to touch your heart. That’s all I truly want my creations to be.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. ❤️
 
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