100 Years of Sakura
Have you ever picked up your gel pen or mechanical pencil and wondered where it was made?
Chances are, it’s from Japan. Take a closer look and you might notice a discreet cherry blossom logo representing Sakura art materials, a brand from Osaka celebrating 100 years in the industry. Founded in the 1920’s at a time when Japanese culture and industry was modernising under Emperor Taisho, Sakura is a big hitter….and has been sitting right under our noses all this time!
Their art products pedigree is impressive, and illustrates their spirit of innovation; in 1925 they introduced Cray-pas (pigmented oil pastels) followed by the mechanical pencil in 1969, archival Pigma ink pens and Gelly Roll gel ink pens more recently, which have become all-time classics.
In Europe, we are not always aware of the significant contribution to art materials manufacture in Asia. We assume that the centre of art history is Holland, Italy and Germany, unaware of the technical strides made by the Japanese in particular. On a visit to CreativeWorld, the annual art materials trade fair in Frankfurt, I was struck by the huge number of Japanese exhibitors. As a first timer, I hadn’t really appreciated their role in the art world.
Here at Pegasus Art we were keen to get involved in the Sakura 100 celebrations, working closely with Royal Talens (European partner and distributor) and their UK ambassador, artist Max Hale – who just happens to have a private studio at Griffin Mill!
Competition & Workshop
Taking the Japanese theme and running with it, we have devised a campaign to highlight the brand and its products in a really exciting way….
- Day Workshop – Japanese Gardens – 30th October – 10am – 4pm £80 Pen & Wash
- Day Workshop – Culture and history of Japan – 4th December – 10am – 4pm £80 Ink & Wash.
- Both workshops will be held in the Attic Studio at Griffin Mill with free Sakura samples to try on the day. Book online here.
- An exciting online painting & drawing competition! Your chance to win: A limited edition Koi watercolour set worth £100, a place on one of Max Hale’s Japanese Day Workshops, and a £50 Sakura product bundle including a Sakura limited edition set and a Sakura sketchbook. (Details to follow on our website very soon!)
- Online Pen & Ink lesson with Max Hale – taught via You Tube with a free PDF downloadable to print off and take away.
Your chance to win this Koi Watercolour Set worth £100
Win a trip to Tokyo!
We hope these will inspire and invigorate your artistic practice in the second half of this year. Head to https://www.royaltalens.com/en/news/sakura-100-years/ to get involved in the many events that are planned. Including the chance to win a trip to Tokyo!
Japanese culture & influence on European art
Our fascination for Eastern culture is undisputed. It’s a world which seems so far from our own with deep rooted symbolism running throughout.
The word Sakura translates as cherry blossom. The significance of the cherry blossom tree dates back hundreds of years. It represents the overwhelming, but fleeting beauty of life.
The cherry blossom flower is also a symbol of renewal thanks to its arrival in Spring. The Japanese have a long tradition of ‘watching blossoms’ or Hanami, an event that can be traced back thousands of years. It celebrates the petals falling from the trees.
Sakura 100 Years will be celebrated with a tribute to Japan. A fascinating culture that has been an endless source of inspiration for many artists including Van Gogh, Monet and Degas. It is well known that Van Gogh’s Iris paintings were directly influenced by the popular ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints of the 17th century. Works by Hokusai and Hiroshige enamoured the post impressionists at that time.
Monet collected Japanese art
Artists like Monet and Degas were particularly inspired by the subject matter because of their use of perspective and composition. Strong outlines, unusual angles and close-up views mirror those of the printmakers. Japonism was closely associated with this group of artists and Monet in particular amassed a huge collection of woodblock prints. Katsushika Hokusai was a particular favourite, known for his series of Mount Fuji prints. Max Hale will be tapping into these popular themes on his day workshops.
Shop for Sakura products at Pegasus Art
A special collection of Black & Gold Pigma Sets has been launched to celebrate the brand. With a nod to the Art Deco movement of the 20’s and taking inspiration from the original packaging.
Browse and shop these products online here.
Browse our programme of Day Workshops including #Sakura100Years celebratory workshops here.
Details of how to win a trip to Tokyo are online here: https://www.royaltalens.com/en/sakura-100-years/how-to-enter
Follow Sakura social media channels here:
Instagram @sakura_europe
Facebook www.facebook.com/sakuraeurope