Colors Remembered

Charcoal and cherry blossoms. Memories of Colors from everyday-life.

The traditional Japanese heating device, Hibachi

木炭とサクラ、日常の中の色の思い出。

昔、住んだ日本の記憶は、おぼろげだ。

冬の空気は、本当にあんなに
透き通っていただろうか。
薪は燃えたとき、あんなに強く
ほろ苦い香りがしただろうか。

私たちが眠っている間中、居心地良く、暖かく、
冬中ずっと…

I don’t trust my memories of life in old Japan.
Was the winter air so crisp?
Did the wood put out a scent so strong and bitter when it burned
all winter long to keep us warm and cozy while we slept? 

Moss In Wabi-sabi Japanese Garden

苔は鮮やかな緑色で柔らかく、朝露に濡れていた。

サクラの花が咲く木の下にも生えていただろうか。

空は、あの青色で間違いなかっただろうか。

Was the moss so green and soft, and wet with morning dew
beneath the blossoms of the trees on which the cherries grew?
Was the sky in fact that blue? 

Snow On Japanese Cherry Blossom

海を越え、全てをこの目で
確かめることはできる。
しかし、それををしたら
私だけの思い出が台無しになるかもしれない。

時間をかけて、心の中で
育ててきた儚い記憶。

大切に、
宝物のように、
愛しみながら…

それが、実物をも超越するぼどに鮮明になるまで。
それが、わたしを守ってくれていることに気づくまで。

I could fly across the sea and check things for myself,
but I might ruin memories with how things really are.
Memories that I have fed and nurtured over time;
cared for, tended, loved until they grew beyond what really was,
until I found that they were grown and taking care of me. 

Beautiful wood and Washi long drop earrings in black, white, pink, green and blue colors. Created by a Japanese artist.

I have memories of my home-town in Japan: in winter the smell of charcoal burning in our old stove, the bite of crisp air as the snow fell. In spring I’d look down to see the moss emerging from between the pave-stones, and look up to see branches of cherry-blossoms framing lacey clouds in a pale blue sky. These were the colors of everyday-life in my home-town. Now, so many years later, I wish I could hold those colors in my hand.

In this collection: “Colors Remembered”, I’ve tried to capture the subtle hues I miss so much. I’ve layered Washi-paper to create the colors of moss, cherry blossoms, sky, snow, and charcoal. Placed inside each earring is a pearl that reflects the colors around it. 

This is a playful collection, yet the subtle colors and textures impart a sophisticated look. They are sold singly by the earring. You can mix and match shapes, colors, and lengths, so have fun creating whatever playful look you want.

Come Visit Art De Tama Fine Art!

Japanese artist in the United States. Tamao Nakayama was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, and moved to the U.S. when she was 25 years old. She is still deeply influenced by the Japanese aesthetic, and the belief that ‘less is more’. She is a minimalist abstract artist. She paints and sculpts.

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Colors Remembered Earrings

Charcoal And Cherry Blossoms. Memories Of Colors From Everyday-Life

This jewelry, made of wood and Washi paper, is designed and handcrafted by a Japanese artisan who specializes in minimalism. This is a playful collection, yet the subtle colors and textures impart a sophisticated look. They are sold singly by the earring. You can mix and match shapes, colors, and lengths, so have fun creating whatever playful look you want.

Colors Remembered Long In Front Earrings

  • Sold Singly By The Earring.
  • Materials: walnut wood, Washi-paper, pearls, and sterling silver wire.
  • Dimensions: Length 6.5cm (2-9/16″) / Width 1.6cm (5/8”).
  • Note: Jewelry is delicate. The wood in this jewelry has four layers of non-toxic water-resistant coating. However, products cannot be submerged.

Colors Remembered Long Tail Earrings

  • Sold Singly By The Earring.
  • Materials: walnut wood, Washi-paper, pearls, sterling silver wire
  • Dimensions: Front Length 2.6cm (1”) / Back Length 6.5cm (2-9/16″) / Width 1.6cm (5/8”)
  • Note: Jewelry is delicate. The wood in this jewelry has four layers of non-toxic water-resistant coating. However, products cannot be submerged.