Whales
Japanese Whale in a Yukata Ocean
The patterns depicted in these traditionally shaped waves come from the men’s informal “house kimono,” called a Yukata. The cranes drawn in the whale are considered symbols of happiness and long life in Japan.
I think of this whale as swimming in an ocean of harmony and comfort.
Willow Pattern Whale
The Willow Pattern is found on fine dishes, most often in shades of blue. While Willow china is produced in England, the design is from China. There is a poem to go with it:
A Chinese vessel sailing by. A bridge with three people, sometimes four,
A willow tree, hanging o’er. A Chinese temple, there it stands,
Built upon the river sands. An apple tree, with apples on,
A crooked fence to end my song.
Oceania Whales
Oceania describes the region of tropical islands between Asia, Australia, and the Americas. I found these designs on paddles and cookware in a book on the art of Oceania. When I saw a picture of a Blue Whale nursery off the coast of Costa Rica, where there is a warm current perfect for nurturing baby whales, I knew I had found my inspiration!
Scrimshaw Whales
Scrimshaw is the art of carving and engraving on whale teeth and bones. It’s called the “folk art of American Whalers.” To protect whales, scrimshaw is now made using wood, nuts or shells.
Whaling ships sailed all the world’s oceans in the nineteenth century.
Mola Whales in a Yellow Sea
Humpback whales from both the northern and southern hemispheres gather in the waters off Panama each year to breed and give birth.
Molas are colorful fabric panels made by both appliqueing on top of and cutting back through layers of cloth. They are hand-sewn and worn by the Guna women of Panama.