2026/04/06 23:11
こんにちは。ARTRAD KYOTの安河内です。
桜の宴が鮮やかに過ぎ去り、
花札の四月の札は、「藤にほととぎす」。
しかし、私たちが手がけるアート花札の「藤」は、
花と目が合う、アニミズムの遊び心
写真の札をじっと眺めてみてください。
紫の房の中に、こちらを静かに見つめる「瞳」
古来、日本人は万物に神が宿ると信じてきました。一滴一滴、
そして、夜の静寂（しじま）を切り裂くように置かれた、
暗い画面の中で強烈なアクセントを放つこの赤は、
「時」を運ぶ鳥、ほととぎす
伝統的な図案では空を鋭く横切るはずの「ほととぎす」も、
ほととぎすは、
「生きている」工芸を、その手に
私は、伝統工芸とは「完成された動かないもの」ではなく、
この藤の札の「瞳」と目が合った瞬間、少しだけドキッとする。
手に取るたびに新しい物語が見つかる。そんな「現代の工芸」
季節の風を呼び込むような、ARTRAD KYOTOならではの「新しい伝統」の形。
次にあなたが藤棚を見上げたとき、あなたも誰かの「視線」
この妖艶で遊び心あふれる藤の物語を、ぜひあなたの掌（
京都アート花札
https://www.artrad.jp/items/
Vol. 6: Cascading Droplets of "Will." The Nocturnal Secrets Dwelling in April’s Wisteria.
Hello, I’m Hiroshi Yasukouchi from ARTRAD KYOTO.
As the vibrant cherry blossom season fades, the streets of Kyoto are becoming embraced by the fresh scent of greenery. During this time, what captivates our gaze is the "Wisteria"—a purple rain cascading from the heavens, surrendering itself to gravity.
In Hanafuda, the card for April is "Wisteria and Cuckoo." However, the card we have crafted carries a mysterious narrative that goes far beyond a simple depiction of nature.
The Playfulness of Animism: When Flowers Meet Your Gaze
Take a close look at the card in the photograph. Do you notice the "eyes" quietly gazing back at you from within the purple clusters?
Since ancient times, Japanese people have believed that spirits reside in all things. What if each dripping cluster of wisteria possessed its own "will"? We have expressed this animistic sensibility through modern illustration. The discovery of a gaze within those supple curves—it is a sophisticated touch that momentarily connects our mundane scenery to a mystical world.
Furthermore, the vibrant "Akatan" (red ribbon) is placed as if to pierce the nocturnal silence. This crimson, acting as a powerful accent against the dark backdrop, feels like a secret love letter or a flame of passion burning in the night. The stillness of the wisteria contrasted with the dynamic red—this balance is the very essence of "Iki" (chic refinement) in Hanafuda.
The Cuckoo: A Messenger Carrying "Time"
In traditional designs, the cuckoo is typically depicted sharply crossing the sky. However, in this artwork, the cuckoo gently holds a sprig of wisteria in its beak.
The cuckoo is a mysterious bird, often regarded as a messenger between this world and the next. Perhaps what it carries is not just a branch, but "time" itself as it slips away. A quiet drama woven by the wisteria and the bird beneath a starlit sky—we have encapsulated the depth of a novel within a single small card.
"Living" Craft in Your Hands
I believe that traditional craft should not be something "static and finished," but rather something that "lives" in the present moment.
The moment you lock eyes with this wisteria card, you feel a slight stir in your heart. That emotional resonance is the exact moment art dissolves into daily life. I want you to feel the texture of handcrafted washi paper and the richness of colors that only hand-drawn art can provide—more closely, and more freely.
A new story to be discovered every time you hold it. It is my hope that this Hanafuda, as a piece of "modern craft," will bring a pleasant inspiration to your everyday life.
A new form of tradition unique to ARTRAD KYOTO, designed to invite a seasonal breeze. The next time you look up at a wisteria trellis, you too might feel someone’s "gaze" upon you.
Please enjoy this bewitching and playful story of the wisteria, right there in the palm of your hand.
