Shinto, ink on paper, 15cm x 20cm, $1000
In Japan, happy, life-giving rituals are typically performed at Shinto shrines. Contrastingly, sad, death related rituals are usually performed in Buddhist temples. There is a beautiful opposition here that I wanted to explore.
I created a diptych that expresses the beauty in the two religions and their functions in the Japanese culture along with popular cultural symbols of characteristics.
In this work, two cherry blossom bonsai trees bloom, trimmed to look like a Shinto shrine entrance gate. The cherry blossoms are a symbol of life and rejuvenation.