Have you started a good healthy year of the MONKEY 2016?!


Yes, as you may have noticed…

2016 is the year of the Monkey in zodiac calendar.


 


The kanji 猿 is commonly used for the animal “MONKEY”.

But when it comes to the zodiac calendar, you see the other one 申.

Monkey is called “SARU” in Japanese.

In Hiragana : さる and in Katakana : サル



I wish you all a peaceful year!!

Well  - I feel already a little bit of lively energy spring out in me,

I should really use this positive Monkey Magic this year in order to push me forward to the direction I want!!


 Images via my Shodo blog

 

HERE IS SOME MORE INFO ABOUT……….

The personality of the Monkey

People born in the Year of the Monkey are characterised as lively, quick-witted, curious, innovative and mischievous, but it is also believed to be one of the most unlucky years in the Chinese calendar.

The general image of people in this zodiac sign is of always being smart, clever and intelligent, especially in their career and wealth.

In addition, their gentleness and honesty bring them an everlasting love life. Although they were born with enviable skills, they still have several shortcomings, such as an impetuous temper and a tendency to look down upon others.

-Strengths: sociable, innovative, enthusiastic, self-assured
-Weaknesses: suspicious, cunning, selfish, arrogant, jealous

Lucky Signs for the Monkey

Lucky numbers: 1, 7, 8
Lucky colours: white, gold, blue
Lucky flowers: chrysanthemum, alliums
Lucky directions: north, northwest, west


Famous people born under the monkey sign

Julius Caesar, Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, Lord Byron, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross, Michael Douglas, Alice Walker, Celine Dion, Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Halle Berry, Christina Aguilera, Owen Wilson, Daniel Craig, Mick Jagger, Bette Davis, Annie Oakley, Eleanor Roosevelt, Cuba Gooding Jr., Gisele Bundchen, Kim Cattrall, Nick Carter, Patricia Arquette, Alyson Stoner, Christina Ricci, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas, Selena Gomez.

Birth year of Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968

(selected section from the telegraph,UK)

２０１５

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!

I WISH YOU A BEAUTIFUL YEAR OF THE SHEEP!!

The SHEEP / GOAT poeple are born in those years: 

1931 - 1943 - 1955 - 1967 -  1979 - 1991 - 2003 - 2015


The sheep (goat, or ram) is among the animals that people like most. It is gentle and calm. Since ancient times, people have learned to use its fleece to make writing brushes and skin to keep warm. As it is white, people describe delicate and precious white jade to be 'suet jade'.
Thus it is close to the meaning of good things.

Strengths
People under the sign of the sheep are tender, polite, filial, clever, and kind-hearted. They have special sensitivity to art and beauty, faith in a certain religion and a special fondness for quiet living. They are wise, gentle and compassionate and can cope with business cautiously and circumspectly. In their daily life, they try to be economical. Women born in this year are willing to take good care of others, but they should avoid pessimism and hesitation. They are kind in heart and commonly have symmetrical figures and features.

Weaknesses
Sheep year people are often worriers who are shy, pessimistic, moody, indecisive, over-sensitive, weak-willed and puzzled about life. They are easily inclined to be deeply religious. They are timid in nature and like to be looked after by others. They like flattery, compliment and suggestions from friends. They do not dare to express their love openly and usually have interests in strange theories. 

from chinese zodiac guide

I spread and let this perfume float around you
just because I make you sleep deep



I show you these forms, and beg you to give me a smile
just because I devote myself to you



This smooth and fine texture is there
to calm your mind down



I keep showing so many impression-full modest colours to you
just because I would like to give you a joy



The crimson pattern is my feeling -
which became flower-sound to heal you
which became a part of rhapsody　

I just play this crimson poem, so you will cheer up.


*




　
紅の花詩曲
’ THE FLOWER RHAPSODY IN RED ’



Antique Kimono collage
40x50cm

shown in atelier

In the days of a primary schoolchild
on the KUSHIRO moor

I saw for a first time
Japanese crane's love dance

That was the way of expressing their love
it was the way of confirming the love

I hear
when the cranes become a pair once
they stay together till one of them dies

How overwhelmed
- they are able to do such beautiful dance
till they die

I find it
terribly
beautiful

* 






とも和
’ TOMOWA ’

Washi paper-collage in layers
Combination of various hand-dyed Washi papers
50x60cm

 


At the moment it is shown at Regio Galerie in Freiburg Germany

She did not talk much.
But she was good at imagining
- she loved to create illusions.
And as time goes by she was getting better and loving more.

At the border between this world and dreams.
She was floated into the countless patterns
and nourished herself and her soul.
Countless colourfull stories healed her heart too.

It might've been away from this side.
Maybe it was a belt of mirror reflecting the flesh.

She only hopes it will be helpful when she meditates next time.

*





白日夢
’A DAY DREAM ’

Washi paper-collage in layers
Combination of various hand-dyed Washi papers
50x60cm
2006
Rie Takeda

5 layers of hand made Washi papers.
Shown in atelier- later in Freiburg from 2nd.September.2010