In New York, one of the first signs of spring is the blossoming of the cherry trees. Many of those trees—some in and around Central Park, at least—were a gift from Japan, their gentle fragrance sourced from across the world. In Ryo Takemasa’s first cover, the artist nods to that gift. Takemasa recently talked to us about his art, his memories of New York, and the cherry trees in Japan, which saw some of the earliest blooms in over a thousand years.
Can you think of other Japanese plants that you’d like to see transplanted to New York City?
I would like to see the Camellia japonica (tsubaki in Japanese) blooming in New York. It’s a common plant in Japan; its roselike flowers bloom in early spring. And when its flowers fall the cherry blossoms begin to bloom.
Before quarantine, did you travel often? Was New York ever a destination?
I travelled several times a year. My main destinations were in Japan, but I also went overseas every few years. I only went to New York once, when I was five years old, but my memories of that time are very clear. I remember riding in a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park, buying a miniature car at F.A.O. Schwarz, and my parents hailing a cab with some degree of nervousness. The most memorable moment was when a clerk at a small clothing store gave me a teddy bear as a gift. When I come back, I’d love to try to visit these places again.
Is New York an important city for an artist who lives on the other side of the world?
New York is a special city for anyone in the world. Even when I heard that unauthorized reproductions of my work were being sold on the street, in front of the Met, I felt more flattered and proud than angry.
You live in Tokyo. Are the cherry trees in bloom yet? Do you celebrate the arrival of spring in any special way?
The cherry blossoms have fallen and young leaves are coming out—this year they bloomed very early. But my family and I always take a walk along the trees when they first bloom.
See below for more covers about spring:
