Kanzashi of The Month: March - Daffodils
Nearly two years ago I made what I thought would be my last kanzashi series entry, but then Kazurasei sucks me right back in with a motif that they've never posted before and thus, I never got a chance to cover before. So, here we are, once again, with another kanzashi motif! As always, kanzashi are courtesy of Kazurasei.
Image is courtesy of Kazurasei.
Suisen (水仙) - Daffodil
One of the rarer motifs, daffodils have some interesting symbolism. Their scientific name, Narcissus, is an ode to the Greek nymph of the same name who fell so in love with his own reflection that he eventually turned into a flower that drooped down towards water to eternally watch himself. Even its Japanese name, Suisen, translates to "Water Hermit," alluding to its Greek origins.
Like its origin story, daffodils grow on upright stems but flower outward, slightly drooping, and can be found growing wild in fields, marshes, or near water. They're a perennial bulb, so they come back year after year, but don't need to be dug up like other bulbs as they're extremely cold hardy.
They're praised worldwide as being heralds of spring as they're among the first flowers to bloom once the weather begins to warm. Since they're a bulb they're often grown inside and given as gifts to wish others a happy spring before the perennial kind bloom outside.
Image courtesy of Onihide-san.
When it comes to maiko, daffodils are only worn by senior maiko, like Ichifuku (市福) of Masunoya (桝之矢) in Pontocho (pictured above). Single flowers or bunches of three are the most commonly seen, but in rare cases, like above, you'll see a cluster of them!
59 notes
·
View notes
Alt Megami guide (1 of 3)
Miura Sakura, Shinonome Mirei
Asuka Kirara, Takahashi Shoko (Takasho)
Hongo Ai (Nikaido Yume), Mayuki Ito
Ayami Shunka, Shinoda Yuu
Yoshikawa Aimi, Yumeno Aika
459 notes
·
View notes
Laila from Hideko Mizuno's Rondo (輪舞). This manga was published in Big Comic for Lady, between January and July in 1981.
103 notes
·
View notes