Yes. It is rabbits again. A year ago I wrote a blog post to welcome in the Year of the Rabbit.Now I am writing a blog post to say good bye to the Year of the Rabbit, and welcome in the Year of the Dragon. The Chinese New Year is January 23. I am sure dragons are nice and all that, but this post is really about rabbits.
(Note: the workshop in Austin TX is filled. A second workshop is being offered Feb. 20-22. If interested go to the gallery website here. )
The above netsuke is titled: Rabbit in the Moon. Netsuke are small ivory carvings. This netsuke is by Mitsuhiro Ohara (1810-1875) and in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.Website here.
A RABBIT AS KING OF THE GHOSTS
To be, in the grass, in the peacefullest time,
Without the monument of cat,
The cat forgotten in the moon;
And to feel that the light is a rabbit-light,
In which everything is meant for you
You become a self that fills the four corners of light.
--- Wallace Stevens
To be, in the grass, in the peacefullest time,
Without the monument of cat,
The cat forgotten in the moon;
And to feel that the light is a rabbit-light,
In which everything is meant for you
You become a self that fills the four corners of light.
--- Wallace Stevens
Large rabbit sculptures by Beth Cavener Stichter and her Follow the Black Rabbit website here. 
Rabbits and other animals by Geoffrey Gorman. Blog here and website here. 
Above is one of my many rabbits in my collections and home decor. This one is on the desk in my library.
On my last day in Kyoto Japan, I discovered a small temple, Okazaki-jingu. It was filled with rabbit symbols and rabbit sculptures carved in stone. It was a delightful wonderful little temple and I felt as if my trip to Kyoto was complete.
"Imagination is the power that enables us to perceive the normal in the abnormal, the opposite of chaos in chaos." -- Wallace Stevens
36 comments:
A beautiful collection of rabbits. Wishing you ongoing rabbit energy even as it becomes the dragon's turn to shine.
Fantastic rabbit series - I particularly like the clay sculpture by Tanya Brett
Thanks for the links
Hi Donna,
I had a rabbit ones...it was a rabbitgirl...she was my friend in all moments, her name was maya..there is something special about rabbits...
Have a lovely evening/night and thank you for this beautiful post!
Thanks for sharing these wonderful images, Donna. Rabbits have their own special magic, I think. Happy new year.
Interesting to consider the year of the rabbit on its way out - can't say it was a gentle one for me... and if not, what might be in store in the year of the DRAGON! YIKES! Love the last few shots of the temple rabbits, beautiful.
Thought you might like this link
http://www.chrischapmanphotography.co.uk/hares/index.html
to the three hares or rabbits project.
What a wonderful variety of rabbits you have assembled here for us. I don't know all the symbolic meaning of the rabbit but it suits the lovely gentle energy you always offer us when we come to visit. As a lover of quietude and order I always feel at home here.
And sounds like your stay in Austin may be longer than you thought. What a lovely welcome to fill the workshop so quickly. I am not surprised. Now you have to do one closer to home!
not at all surprised your workshop overflowed so quickly
greetings from my small black rabbit [carved stone, inherited from my Grandmother] to your white one
Lovely post Donna. Yesterday a wild rabbit decided he likes our yard enough to stay for a while.
We have lots of jackrabbits in the city so last year I painted a cheerful portrait of the one that nestles in our neighbourhood. Its posted on teresastiebenart.blog if you care to view it. So many beautiful rabbit sculptures, thanks for sharing them, Hugs
beautiful wire rabbit - it's my favourite.
belle série de lapins.. je reviens pour voir plus en détail...
I love the variations of rabbits here and their gentle energy - and how wonderful to have found that temple in Kyoto too - so special!
Wonderful post and series of rabbits Donna!
D-quite an amazing transition from rabbits to dragons. Love the fact that the temple had many rabbit symbols and carvings. The netsuke is my favourite. Go well in the year of the dragon. B
loved seeing the photo of you with the rabbit in the temple garden! I too have rabbits in my garden - live and concrete too! the live ones raise families under my shed and I get to enjoy watching the babies play !
so beautiful and lovely rabbits!
for your collection: In denmark I saw a georgous variety in kunstmuseum tønder: http://manoswelt.blogspot.com/2010/03/fruhling-in-danemark-springtime-in.html
this sculpture is made by the danish artist inge lise westman (westman.dk) and it has the wonderful title "the hare wanting to sit like an egyptian sphinx".
I wish you a good dragon year!
i love seeing all those rabbits come across the pinterest board, and your collection here is stunning... have a good dragon year...x
Hi Donna,
I was wondering about the rabbit abundance on pinterest and expected that something was up art wise. It is so interesting to see a collection of works on the same topic because it represents creativity at its best.... so many interpretations of one simple subject.
I can only imagine it, Donna, but I think that would have made my trip feel complete as well. A fine collection you've shown us here!
And...any chance at all you might be teaching a workshop this year around home turf (western WA)? An opportunity I would not want to miss...
rabbits have always held a special place in my heart...we've had many as companions and they are truly joyful little beings...
thank you for all the wonderful links... I particularly like the photograph of you with the rabbit in the temple in Kyoto...it's just perfect.
The netsuke rabbit is exquisite isn't it?! I love Julieann Worrell Hood's wire rabbits too. Thank you for a lovely post to bid the Year of the Rabbit farewell, Donna
Great post Donna, loved all the rabbits but really want to move into your study. Have you read The Hare With Amber Eyes, by Edmund de Waal, wonderful book about a man colllection of netsuke.
There is something so charming about rabbits. I smiled my way through this wonderful post. Thank you.
I remember your post last year. More lovely rabbits and I just love the idea of a shrine to the rabbits. May the dragon year be one of light, creativity and magic for you.
What a fabulous post about rabbits...and you are so beautiful in the photo there in the temple!
what a gorgeous post about rabbits.Glad you found that lovely shrine at the end and had a beautiful image taken of yourself.xxglad you had a great timexlynda
"I am sure dragons are nice and all that, but..." really made me smile.
Your desk treasures look wonderful and that image of you at the temple exudes such contentment, so infectios.
i remember falling in love with rabbits, my little angoras jean and connie, named for dear friends. the images you've chosen are stunning.
OH, YOU! YOU BUNNY, YOU!
Donna, I tried to leave a comment on this post a few days ago but it didn't work. I have been enjoying your bunnies on Pinterest and my favorite here is the netsuke. I love rabbits too--they have such gentle souls :-)
Many thanks for a good time visiting your web blog. Love them all, so cute.
Facts About Rabbits
Such big ears! I know it's not a rabiit, but have you read 'The Hare with Amber Eyes' by Edmund De Waal...
Your blog and your artwork are divine. I adore rabbits. The rabbit netsuke made my heart skip a beat. Thank you for bringing these wonderful bunny sculptures to me.
silkandcolour.blogspot
Many thanks for a good time visiting your web blog. I am highly pleased and right now an aficionado. I love them all. Cheers!
Facts About Rabbits
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