What you hold in your hands is the result of the joint effort of an international group of Kinbaku enthusiasts who came together virtually to share their research with you, dear reader.
Thank you, for supporting this project. This is very close to our hearts.
We live in strange times, and like everyone else we had to adapt. We witnessed spring break through a foggy window, far away, outside. We all were locked up in our homes.
And at the same time, maybe, this outbreak of pure life force, the explosion of the blazing buds, the stunningly fast transformation of bare trees into lush, green umbrellas of fresh leaves and the outburst of fragrances from the blossoms became more vivid, more tangible for every one of us.
Winter is over. And then, we humans were bound to our homes, immobilized by the lock-down. Nature celebrated fertility, renewal, abundance. We are still waiting to get reborn in our lust to physically meet other human beings, other bodies.
Our cooperation was virtual – but see how much beauty have we created!
In this magazine we reflected on this inner conflict spring bears within itself. There is blossoming and raising – but already, at the same time, the beauty is dying, and fading away.
Sakura! The cherry flower is one very important symbolism in Japanese Culture – and is celebrated extensively. We vividly remember last April. We were just a few days too late to catch the cherry blossom season there, and did not have enough time to go outside of Tokyo to watch the wind blowing the last leaves from the trees. But on our way from the subway to the studio of Naka-Sensei, we saw one tree, still pink, still in the process of letting go of these leaves…
“Mono no aware” stands for a feeling of sadness, of grief that is attached to the transience of things and our human ability to accept the inevitable end of all things and moments.
Our Spring issue has sprung into the world, and gathers this mood.
Our contributors are spread all over Europe –they brought into light amazing photography, drawings, writings, stories, reflections, poetry –and a wonderful design, giving this issue a special, individual touch again.
It is not without pride that I can say that Vol. #2 is almost gone in less than 4 weeks, shipped to many people in Europe, America, and even Africa! Before you ask: Sorry, Vol. #1 is completely sold out. We hope that it will someday be traded in the future for insane prices on a black market.
For this issue, we decided therefore to increase the volume a bit, from 100 to 200 copies. This is not only to satisfy the increasing demand, but mainly to allow for better printing quality. So for this issue, we even raised the bar – to make it more comfortable for you, our dear readers.
So now, read on. We hope you will enjoy flipping through the pages, indulging in our stories, pictures, imaginary– phantasies! -–as much as we did, producing it.
Every one of us made ourselves very vulnerable. I think this is what Kinbaku is about: live in the moment, enjoy the blossoming beauty -–knowing that it fades away in a second.
We are just here to enjoy these moments to the fullest! We hope our Spring Issue inspires you.
May 2020 | Alexander MA
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