{Kusudama}
A brocade bag filled with spices and decorated with medicinal herbs, artificial flowers, and five-colored thread. It is hung on pillars during Tango to ward off impurity and evil spirits.
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When I think of Boy's Festival, I remember my brother's magnificent helmet decoration. And maybe carp streamers? When my first son was born, we took out his older brother's carp streamer and set it up at my parents' house. When I saw the carp streamers flowing gracefully and splendidly, my neighbors congratulated me, and most of all, I remember the proud faces of my mother and father. It was at that moment that I experienced for myself the meaning of carp streamers: connecting families.
As I have been living with the seasons through Temari and vegetable dyeing for a long time, the history of Japan's ancient customs has become more familiar and interesting to me.
Iris is associated with Shobu (valuing martial arts), and the shape of the irises' leaves resembles a sword, so today's Tango custom was strongly influenced by samurai society to decorate helmets. It seems to be the mainstream of the festival. In the past, the birth rate was low and the survival rate of children born was low, so it is easy to imagine that in a patriarchal society, it was extremely important to leave behind a male child. With the rise of samurai in the Kamakura period, ``Boy's Festival'' became an important event in samurai society.
I had such a brave image of Boy's Festival, but a few years ago I learned about the custom of being close to nature and plants called medicinal balls. To be honest, I was a little reluctant to display a helmet as a parent of a son. I don't want you to go to battle... I felt like I shouldn't have to impose such a brave image on boys...I felt a bit uncomfortable about it. On the contrary, I love carp streamers. The origin of the custom of carp streamers seems to be different, but it is also a "recent" custom since the Edo period.
Kusudama (medicine balls) are said to have first been made around the Heian period, when they were bundles of irises and mugwort that bloom during the Boy's Festival season, tied together with five-colored threads. It is said that incense was added later, during the Kamakura period.
The Boy's Festival in the lunar calendar, around May 5th, marks the end of spring agricultural work and the change of season before the arrival of the plum blossoms. During these times, people are especially prone to getting sick, and the rainy season also makes the sanitary environment worse. Even we living today can imagine the idea of taking medicinal herbs and praying for good health during the humid rainy season, and I think it was even more urgent in the past.
This year, Boy's Festival falls on June 3rd according to the lunar calendar. It looks like the rainy season will soon arrive in Tokyo.
The meaning of ``Yakudama'' really struck a chord with me, and ever since then, I have been making temari and prototyping products using Yakudama as inspiration.
This year, I was finally able to start the project, and the first thing that was born was ``Yakudama NONA Tsuzura''.
At NONA, we first dyed with spring medicinal herbs and Japanese herbs such as mugwort, dogwood, and camphor. When I was dyeing it, I felt like I was brewing herbal tea. The gentle blessings of spring are packed into NONA Tsuzura along with the colors of the five elements. Work with thread while warding off evil spirits and praying for good health for the year ahead.
NONA Tsuzura Yakudama Special Version
Various things dyed with camphor tree, mugwort, and dokudami
NONA vine string and madder button
How dokudami dyed threads look when they are finished dyeing
Dokudami
“Yakudama” second product aroma spray
Then, I made a handmade aroma spray with the theme of "medicinal ball".
This year, at NONA, we are creating products based on ``scent'', so speaking of ``scent'', NONA's handmade aroma spray UNKNOWN comes to mind. I tried planning the next scent.
In addition, Rika and I, Rika, created an original blend of medicinal scents that was created under the supervision of Kana, who is also my aroma teacher and active pharmacist, and who runs the Herbal Lab.
The scent may be ``bitter'', but it's a scent that I love secretly.
In ancient times, incense was added to medicine balls. Incense and essential oils are completely different, but the Japanese fragrance ``Yuzu'' is also added to the fragrant essential oils used in incense, clove, patchouli, and sandalwood, creating a solemn and Japanese herbal scent. I made it with an image.
During the rainy season, be sure to take advantage of the scent to help you with your handiwork. We recommend spraying the space before doing any handwork.
However, this medicine ball spray is currently in preparation. Please wait a little more!
We will also inform you of the sales date separately!
It's been a long time, but I would be very happy if you could learn about the custom of ``Yakudama'' through NONA and have an experience that brings together the past and the present, and enriches your life even just a little.