Maltese pomegranates. Painted with ink, watercolours, and (experimentally) gouache on handmade mulberry paper. Pomegranates (zakuro ザクロ or 石榴 shijiu) have a positive meaning in Japan and in China. They are a symbol of fertility and abundance. Gifting pomegranates or their images is traditionally considered a wishing to have many children and an abundant home.
 
Mulberry paper is quite unusual, it has a rustic, natural earthy tone, uneven edges, fibers, and plenty of texture. It adds a unique look to any piece.
 
The painting is wet-mounted on two layers of backing to strengthen the structure - beige rice paper and white masa paper. It is signed, sealed with artist's personal seal and ready to be framed or mounted on a scroll. Please use acid-free adhesives when framing. The painting is manually cut, please leave a few mm error margin for dimensions. Note that colours may differ due to differences in devices.