Summer brings sunflowers, lavender, hibiscus, marigolds, cosmos, and the delicate morning glory. These charming flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon, symbolizing love and promise. In Japan, they hold a special place in both culture and education.

Morning glories in Japanese culture

Many Japanese first graders grow morning glories as a summer project, keeping diaries and sketching their growth. This hands-on experience teaches them how to care for plants and collect seeds.

One famous story tells of the tea master Sen no Rikyu and the warlord Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Expecting to see a garden full of morning glories, Hideyoshi instead found them all cut—except for a single perfect bloom displayed in the tea room. Rikyu’s choice embodied the wabi-sabi aesthetic, which finds beauty in simplicity and impermanence.

Morning glories may seem modest next to bold sunflowers, but their quiet beauty, especially when touched by morning dew, offers a serene way to start the day—an extra gift from nature.

☆ Upcoming event ☆

I'm excited to be part of an upcoming market in Astoria, Queens highlighting Asian American and Pacific Islanders. Details below.

AAPI Maker Market
- Sunday, July 21 | 1 PM – 7 PM
- 31st Ave Open Street (between 33rd & 35th Street)
- Astoria, New York 11106