This design was developed from the first Hozuki picture I created. I wanted to show the passion and heat of summer as well as coolness.
This picture expresses my memories of summer. It mixes an image of a fireball and a hozuki plant. In Japanese ghost stories "fireballs" are symbolic of the spirits of ghosts. This is the first in a series of three pictures.
Hozuki plants flower in the summer in Japan. They are used as offerings and decorations for small Buddhist shrines in the home dedicated to one's ancestors. During the Obon season in the summer in Japan, the spirits of one's ancestors are said to return to the family home.
Using the first two paintings in this series, I created this design for a long dress. I tried to make this feel passionate using the black, red and gold colours. This style might be good for modern urban fashion.
Please have a look at the first two paintings in this somen series
Painting #1
Painting #2
