After the long rains of June finally end, I always looked forward to the coming blue. Despite hating the humidity, which made breathing feel more like drowning in Japan, I loved bringing out our the wind-chimes.
Yes, in Japan wind-chimes, like folding fans, parasols, and cotton yukata, are for summer only.
I loved anticipating the disappearance of all the hot foods and the arrival of cold noodles! And to hearing the sounds of the cicadas singing, beating like summer rain. Except the rains are finished by then so that sound outside my window could only be the longing cry of the cicadas.
Maybe more than anything, though, I loved the blue. In our house, we changed the textiles, from mauves and browns to indigo linens. Those changes in cushions, coasters, and futon covers, were also reflected in my clothing.
This year, in Pasadena, I decided to make a few changes. And so, I made this blue table runner and had some cold noodles for the first time since leaving Japan. And maybe, at the end of the hot season—may around Thanksgiving here?— I will put away my wind-chimes and bird feeders.
Recipe for dipping sauce from Mrs Donabe:
Dipping Sauce
2 cups (480 ml) kombu and bonito dashi or your choice of dashi
1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
1/4 cup (60 ml) Japanese black vinegar
2 tablespoons raw brown sugar
1 tablespoon black sesame oil
Oh, indigo! Where have you been? Back again, I'm so happy to hear from you! The change of seasons is reason enough to celebrate! Enjoy your gorgeous table runner, Leanne.