Plum Blossoms, Inside and Out
Early spring has arrived in Kyoto, and with it, the quiet beauty of plum blossom season. They always feel so special to me because they appear when almost everything else is still bare. They bring, along with their delicate scent and vibrant colors, the quiet promise that spring is just around the corner.
Between long days in the studio working with vintage kimono fabrics, I’ve been stepping out for short walks to watch the blossoms appear across the neighbourhood.
I wanted to gather a few of these moments here, both from outside and inside the studio.
Plum blossoms from the bonsai on the doorstep or woven of silk, which is your favorite?
Spring strolls in my Kyoto
Quiet coffee breaks and temple visits, all within 10 minutes walk from Mikan studio.
The mejiro birds welcoming spring in Umenomiya Taisha’s plum garden. A quiet shrine visit away from the crowds.
Sometimes the best views are simply witnessed on my way to and back from the studio, enjoying my neighbours’ gardens.
Back in the studio, these early spring colours often find their way into the fabrics I choose. At the moment, it happens even beyond my will, as I am working on custom orders, which feature very seasonal motifs!
Handmade Bags Inspired by the Season
A set of travel pouches made of two very seasonal obi: pine, plum and bamboo, when represented together are also called “the three friends of winter”. A very auspicious symbol! We created these two bags with customers who I also had the chance to guide in the area the rest of the day so they picked fabrics that reminded us of what we saw.
Non-identical twin pouches, for Kindle readers. A mother-and-daughter-in-law order, as wished for “the same but different”. The fronts and backs are cut from two different matching obi.
This obi, transformed into a bumbag, features various flowers: plum blossoms, peonies, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums…all of the flowers we’ll look forward to enjoy throughout the year!
Many of these bags also began during a recent sewing workshop in Misawa, in Aomori Prefecture, where participants selected their own vintage fabrics. I am now finishing each piece by hand in my Kyoto studio.
Spring motifs, inside and out: let’s create your Kyoto souvenir bag!
Plum blossoms are not the only star of the season, camellias are also beautiful at this time, but that will be for another story.
Spring in Kyoto always feels like a gentle transition, a season that moves quietly between winter and the full bloom of cherry blossoms. Kyoto is also quieter at this time of year, making it a great time to visit. If you are considering visiting Kyoto in early Spring, and would like to create a custom-made souvenir inspired by the landscapes you discover, please sign up for my crafting workshop and let’s create beautiful bags together!
Thank you for following along these small moments, both inside and outside the studio.
About the author
Clémentine Sandner, the mind and hands behind Mikan Bags, in her Kyoto studio. (photo by Bruna Luise, 2024)
Hello, I’m Clémentine, a French designer living in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Since 2016, I’ve been creating bags from antique Japanese textiles. I fell in love with these fabrics because of how beautifully they express nature, seasons, and traditional craftsmanship.
I wish to create unique handmade bags that let us appreciate these textiles in our daily lives.
If you’d like to visit my studio and browse the collection in person, feel free to get in touch.
You can also explore a curated selection of existing bags online.
And if you’re feeling crafty, join one of my workshops and take part in creating your own Kyoto souvenir bag!