The Ginkgo (銀杏) is one of my favourite trees and I wish that I could have one in my garden. However, I am a brown thumb and the only things that tend to grow in my garden are the undesirables termed as 'weeds'.
It is close to a year since I was last in Japan, there the Ginkgo trees are found in lots of places, as street trees where they are young, contained, pruned and grow quite straight.
In temple grounds where they are ancient specimens, propped up, fenced off and protected.
I love the fan shaped leaves and the colours as they turn in Autumn.
I love how easy it is to use it as a motif in design.
There is this talented textile print studio, Ink and Spindle in Melbourne that has translated this motif so well......
I have been making cushions out of their 'ginkgo' range, some for presents for friends living overseas and one for myself to keep! I have inserted invisible zips in the seam and sewed up the corners to create the box shape. Easy!
Lovely Amanada!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sooz! I am having a crafty weekend to release a stressful week from work and a potential equally stressful one ahead.
ReplyDeleteDid you eat roasted Ginkgo in Japan??
ReplyDeletethe street that goes to the diet in tokyo must be beautiful now.
ReplyDeleteNeki, I have not been to Tokyo yet but it is definitely on the list for the next trip to Japan!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shapes, both leaf and cushion (esp like the corners,)
ReplyDeleteThanks Niki. I am rather partial to the box shape rather than the the puffed up square shape!
ReplyDeleteWaaaah. I have great envy of any trip to Japan you have taken. I must start saving
ReplyDelete