Day 2815: A bit moody.

"A bit moody": acrylics, pastels on heavy w/c paper.

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2GN2S:
 

"The Wild Geese Fly North"

 We bid farewell to these birds and their graceful formations. They've spent the winter in the mainland but now fly North to Siberia. Appearing in much art and literature, geese hold a special place in the heart of Japan and the comings and goings of these birds have meant a change in seasonality.

"Full Moon at Takanawa" (1831) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Their motif has been used in family crests and wagashi sweets, as well as green tea. There's a precious variety of green tea called karigane, literally "sound of geese" It gets its name from an old story told by travelers and merchants that goes like this: when the geese fly South in the Autumn, they carry with them a stick to be used as a buoyancy device so they can rest in the water as they cross the sea. They carry these sticks with them to land. And before flying home in the Spring they pick up their sticks again. 

However, there are always several sticks left behind. These leftovers represented the geese who had died during their stay and were unable to return home. The story serves as a poignant reminder of the impermanence of life.

Just because ...

Eastern Bluebird by DonCampbell

Smiles for Saturday ...

and Postal Service.