I always feel spring is close when I find a curled fern shoot.
Its green is so fresh.
It was a warm afternoon filled with brilliant sunshine.
It was a bright winter day in Yakushima South.
We met at my studio and talked about their rings.
I remember that the sasanqua flowers along the hedge were so beautiful, as if they were celebrating our meeting.
Linked Fern Leaves, when the two rings come to life on Yakushima
And now, the Kawazu-zakura are already in full bloom along my walking path.
I felt it was the right moment to begin making a new pair of gold rings.
At the workbench, I light the torch.
An orange glow spreads through the dim room.
I bring the flame to the two 18K yellow gold rods.
The gold glows red with heat, like a sun sinking into the horizon.
At last, the first touch was made.
Two gold rods were bent into an arc.
They are the same width but different sizes.
Though it has only just begun, a warm joy rises within me as I look at these two small rings.
I will make them little by little.
as though keeping pace with the coming of spring.
Let us share in this joy.
