Original "Bookmark SANGE" was made by Keiko Ohyagi in this spring!
She is a pastellist living in Nara and love Naramachi.
And the title kanji "散華" was written by calligrapher Inaba.
It's best souvenir of Naramachi I think.
"SANGE"
As part of the buddhist training many ceremonies are carried out. One of these involves the spreading petals in order to bless the deceased spirits. This is called ‘SANGE’. Originally fresh lotus flowers and petals were used,but now they have been replaced by coloured paper in the lotus petal shape.
At the ceremony, thousands of paper petals are scattered from the roof of the Main Hall. These multicoloured paper petals dancing down from the blue sky creates a fantastical atmosphere. In some temples, well known artists are commissioned to create pictures for these petals, which are then made into woodblock prints and sold as commemorative souveniers. Many people keep them as a small collection art.
We can see many SANGE "散華" correction in virtual museum below.
NPO法人 美術散華保存会：
http://www.sange-npo.jp/index.html
散華美術館http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/sangemuseum/other/english.html
