Long-Sleeved Kimono: 🌸 "Umeko Combing Her Hair"
100 Haiku + A Series of 20 Lupita Portraits Made After Japanese Woodblock Prints
Welcome
Hello! I’m Emily Lupita. I’m a travel writer & artist from rural Iowa currently living between my hometown south of Des Moines - and Ankara, the capital of Turkiye. I’m also an English teacher & editor.
Long-Sleeved Kimono is a series of 100 haiku and 20 Lupita portraits made after traditional Japanese woodblock prints. It’s an art project I started 20 years ago when I was living in Japan. I post about it on - Emily Lupita Explores - my creativity journal where I share explorations from my art desk & cultural travels, as well as motherhood with my two Autistic sons.
“Umeko Combing Her Hair”
Twenty years ago, I lived in Japan - teaching English. I loved my experience there and stayed for three years. I had the unique opportunity to study with three masters while in Japan: Hirakawa Sensei (karate), Niizaki Sensei (Japanese language and culture), and Fukutomi Sensei (haiku). I began this project in 2004 as an homage to my teachers - to show my gratitude for all they taught me. It’s taken half my current lifetime, but I’m ready to finish it now. May it be a blessing.
The Original
The original Japanese woodblock print was created by Japanese master printer Hashiguch Goyo (1880-1921) as a woodblock print ( Ukiyo-e.org ).
Lupita Portrait - “Umeko Combing Her Hair”
The Japanese name that Hirakawa Sensei gave me is Umeko - meaning “small plum.” I treasure this name and the memory of the ceremony when he presented me with my first name-embroidered belt - complete with the specific kanji he’d chosen. A memory I honor here by naming the woman in these portraits Umeko.
Haiku
I’d love to hear your ideas. Please share your thoughts with me in the comments.
🦋 News & Creative Projects
I’m back on social media: Instagram: @EmilyLupitaExplores and Facebook here.
Vote for your favorite & read more about my current projects in progress here.
New! Read about my project plan for this newsletter’s third year (2024-25).
Check out my books on Amazon by searching my author name - here.
New Art Shop (yay!!): My new Lupita artwork shop is now open on Threadless - I’ll be adding more to it each week - here: emilylupitaexplores.threadless.com
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