Craft of Meaning - Design led studio, surface patterns, photography, bespoke art, storytelling
The Magic Detour: Finding Stillness on Miyajima Island
One of the dearest memories from our trip was visiting Miyajima Island—with its cheeky deer roaming the sandy shore, the floating torii gate rising from the water, rolling green hills, and temples nestled quietly among them. The entire atmosphere felt like a step back in time.
While most visitors come for the iconic torii views, we found so much more to explore and soak up.
The torii itself is undeniably worth the buzz. We arrived at high tide, the moment when it appears to float on water. It was an overcast day, and the vermilion gate glowed against a backdrop of dark hills and calm, green-blue sea. On the bank, lush pine trees offered the perfect natural frame—elevating the scene into something almost surreal.
Escaping the crowds into side streets, we wandered through narrow lanes lined with traditional houses and a scattering of locals going about their day. There was a quiet, melancholy beauty to it.
Some houses appeared long unused, their stories suspended in time. One image still lingers: an old pottery shop, its glass doors shut, its shelves full of beautiful cups and bowls, collecting dust. Unopened letters lay scattered on the counter, a weathered chair stood in place.
Who lived and worked here?
Were those pots made by hand and glazed with care right here?
Why did the rhythm of this place suddenly stop?
The scene stirred something in us—a quiet reminder of impermanence, and the stories that objects silently carry.
Yet all around, nature was waking from its winter rest. We saw small plum trees blooming in private gardens, their soft whites and gentle pinks glowing against dark wooden façades. A subtle but undeniable promise of spring.
We continued our slow wandering through temple grounds, where small gardens were tended with care and reverence. In one zen garden, we sat quietly watching koi fish glide across a pool of water that shimmered with coins—each shining like tiny pieces of gold. Even with visitors coming and going, a sense of otherworldly calm cocooned us. We didn’t want to leave.
At the time, the cable car was out of service, so we didn’t make it to the higher trails or mountaintop views—but we didn’t need to.
As we made our way back to the pier, we felt deeply restored and endlessly grateful. What was meant to be a short detour turned into a full day of discovery—and a promise to return, to spend more time under the gentle, magical spell of Miyajima.
Looking back, it’s clear how this quiet detour shaped my creative choices. The deep red of the floating torii found its echo in the rich reds of camellias; the stoic pine trees that framed the shoreline became the soul of The Noble Pine pattern; and the soft green-gray of sea and sky settled into the collection’s core color palette—quiet, grounding, and full of depth. Like the island itself, these elements speak of stillness, presence, and that quiet awe only nature and time can stir.
Have you ever stumbled upon a place that stayed with you far beyond the visit?
What quiet corner of the world made something inside you shift? We’d love to hear about it. Get in touch or join our mailing list to continue the conversation.