To find the divine, first consider the small. Case in point are the exquisite visual epiphanies found in Michiko Kamee’s art on miniature objects. Michiko Kamee condenses large-scale beauty in her small art works until she finds its purest distillation. Our Kikka journal reproduces Kamee’s “full of chrysanthemum” design, originally hand-painted using gold overglaze and colour on a china teacup.
This design was created in the traditional Satsuma style (17th–19th centuries), with gilded polychromatic enamel overglaze applied to the surface in a variety of delicate brush strokes. This decorative style was in high demand in Europe during the second half of the 19th century, and Kamee’s detailed rendering shows off the techniques of Kyo-Satsuma through precision in line, colour choice and breathtakingly beautiful gilding.
The name “Kikka” translates from the Japanese word for chrysanthemum. Similar to the cherry blossom (sakura), the chrysanthemum is a revered national symbol of Japan. Chrysanthemums flower in the fall, and so they are considered the seasonal counterpart to the cherry blossom.
With its chrysanthemum theme and tiny details, there is fine-boned artistry in every brush stroke and kaleidoscopic hue of this design. By reproducing Michiko Kamee’s artwork using our unique printing processes, we celebrate the universal beauty of this particular cultural style.