The faint scent of a fresh rain still lingers in the air. Meandering down a moss worn pebbled path, the serenity of a Japanese garden beckons us with the fragrance of blooming nostalgia.
Wisteria vines languorously drape over an arched trellis, creating a flowering canopy of lavender blooms. A young woman hurriedly passes by, repositioning the musubi knot on her obi. Continuing our stroll, leafy mounds of irises and peonies burst into verdant life. A hidden ko-minka comes into view. Curious, we open the sliding door and enter into a Tatami room. Light filtering into the room highlights a collection of art books. Turning the pages we admire the work of Japanese painters Ogata Korin of the distinctive Rinpa school and Hokusai of Ukiyo-e. Gazing outwards onto the garden, the translucent Shoji screen silhouettes a cherry blossom tree. A warm wind rustles the branches and clusters of blossoms float to the ground, already a carpet of pink.
With a bow to Japanese culture and wink to tradition, Spring 2016 is a wash in the joyful celebration of springtime in Japan.
Tadashi Shoji is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-la Plaza.
