A vintage Japanese tanzaku card features a serene summer motif, blending minimalism with symbolic beauty. A delicate bamboo branch with soft green leaves cascades gracefully from the top, evoking a sense of calm and seasonal freshness. Below, two slender ayu (sweetfish) swim gently upward, symbolizing vitality, perseverance, and the clear waters of Japan's rivers in summertime. Rendered in a soft watercolor palette on a pale blue background, this artwork captures a moment of natural harmony.
Tanzaku (短冊) are traditional Japanese paper or card strips that are typically long and narrow. During this summer festival, people write wishes on colorful tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches. Today, tanzaku are also popular as interior decorations, framed artworks, or seasonal displays in homes and temples.
