About the Print: Persimmon
Persimmon. This is a special print. It was inspired by our very own, Erin. I created the Persimmon drawings without even asking why? Why is this a fruit that she loves so much? First of all, it’s “just a kyoot froot” she says. But it goes much beyond that. Erin says one of her fondest memories is seeing strands of persimmon hanging from the porch awning at Cafe Hamagurihama in Ishinomaki in the fall of 2017. They take her back to the fall of 2014 and her first trip to Japan with a mission team to serve the communities of Ishinomaki that were still rebuilding themselves after the great tsunami and earthquake of 2011. It was while she was on this mission trip her dad passed away back home in Hawaii, and it felt like all of sudden she had her own disaster. It was the team’s tradition to always make a stop at Cafe Hamagurihama, and it became a special place for her. She realized that she went on the mission to serve others, but it ended up serving her. “It’s funny how that works out sometimes.” She says, “When I think of Ishinomaki, about the community that became like family to me there, when I remember those cutie persimmons hanging from the porch of Hamagurihama, I always remember that through life’s struggles, there are blessings to be had as well.”
Persimmons are beautiful, unique, and they are a symbol of transformation, good luck, harmony and balance. Yes this is a kyoot froot print, but the hope is that it will engender those associations and feelings. Also, persimmon are said to protect you from tigers, so if you’re ever in India or Southeast Asia, I hope you’re carrying our one of our Persimmon bags :)