Geisha Hands is my third novel, a historical fiction about the life of a maiko on the verge of her erikae (becoming a geisha). It takes place during the Meiji Period. This novel is unique in that it includes story illustrations and reference illustrations to help the reader to truly immerse themselves in this unique culture and time period.
This is a reference illustration showcasing the traditional seasonal kimono motifs. I only did 60 of the 120 total annual motifs. This illustration took me approx 500 hours to complete. The Japanese calendar is divided into multiple seasons based on the plants, wildlife, and weather associated with that season. While we know the 4 seasons spring, summer, fall winter – Japan has 16 different seasons with specific motifs, holidays, festivals, and rules.
Here is the handy chart I used to determine which motifs to include:
Spring – March – Butterfly Motif
Spring- March – Na-No-Hana Motif
Spring – March – Tulips Motif
Spring – March – Red Plum Blossoms Motif
Spring – March – Cherry Blossoms Motif
Spring – April – Streams Motif
Spring – April – Flowing Clouds Motif
Spring – April – Gardenia Motif
Spring – April – Japanese Wisteria Motif
Spring – April – Tree Peony Motif
Spring – May – Old Palace Scenes Motif
Spring – May – Rabbit Ear Iris Motif
Spring – May – Tree Peony Motif
Spring – May – Flowers and Birds Motif
Spring – May – Streams Motif
Summer – June – Lilies Motif
Summer – June – Willow Motif
Summer – June – Bamboo Motif
Summer – June – Bamboo Grass Motif
Summer – June – The Sea
Summer – July – Waves Motif
Summer – July – Fish Motif
Summer – July – Water Lilies Motif
Summer – July – Plovers Motif
Summer – July – Goldfish Motif
Summer – August – Pampas Grass Motif
Summer – August – Ominaeshi Motif
Summer – August – Pinks Motif
Summer – August – Morning Glories Motif
Summer – August – Clouds Motif
Fall – September – Moon-viewing Motif
Fall – September – Rabbit in the Moon Motif
Fall – September – Chrysanthemums Motif
Fall – September – Chestnuts Motif
Fall – September – Wild Geese Motif
Fall – October – Dragonflies Motif
Fall – October – Leaves Changing Colour Motif
Fall – October – Ginkgo Motif
Fall – October – Bellflowers Motif
Fall – October – Chrysanthemums Motif
Fall – November – Shippo Interlocking Circles Motif
Fall – November – Japanese Persimmon Motif
Fall – November – Sasanqua Carnellia Motif
Fall – November – Fallen/Scattering Leaves Motif
Fall – November – Mountains with Trees Motif
Winter – December – Winter Scenery Motif
Winter – December – Yukiwa Motif
Winter – December – Daffodil Motif
Winter – December – Nandina Motif
Winter – December – Pine Motif
Winter – January – Takarabune Motif
Winter – January – Shochikubai Motif
Winter – January – Pheasant’s Eye Motif
Winter – January – Snow Motif
Winter – January – Chinese Zodiac Designs Motif
Winter – February – Scenes/Items with Snow Motif
Winter – February – Plum Motif
Winter – February – Camellia Motif
Winter – February – Orchid Motif
Winter – February – Peach Flowers Motif
Geisha Hands is available as a soft cover book on Lulu
Geisha Hands is available as an ebook on Amazon
KHR Arts 