#satohina

February maiko kanzashi

Plum blossoms are one of the first flowers to bloom in Japan. They symbolize young love and serve as a reminder that spring is just around the corner. Japanese plum trees are cultivated for their flowers rather than their fruit, and some trees do not produce fruit at all. Plum blossoms--and plum blossom kanzashi--come in a variety of colors, from pale pink to deep red to creamy white. Junior maiko kanzashi usually features a combination of colors and shades, while senior maiko kanzashi is usually two-toned or uniform in color.

For Setsubun, the lunar new year celebration, maiko may wear special round kusudama kanzashi. Kusudama can literally translate to “medicine ball” and were used to hold potpourri or incense. Kusudama kanzashi have no set color scheme, and some have a tassel attached to their base. You can make your own paper origami kusudama by following this tutorial.