Sakura & Clay
Timeless Beauty in Form
Sakura & Clay: The Store Name
Where tradition meets timeless artistry. Sakura & Clay is more than a boutique; it's a journey into Japan's ancient craftsmanship, where each piece carries whispers of history, elegance, and cultural reverence. Inspired by the spirit of sakura blossoms and the resilience of clay, we invite you to explore the beauty woven into every handcrafted item.
About "Sakura"
We would like to share the meaning behind the name of our store, which symbolizes Japan through the cherry blossom, and the concept of "Kotodama, （言霊）" the spirit of words.
The fact that cherry blossoms represent Japan has become widely known around the world, especially through the spread of social media and YouTube in recent years. People have come to recognize the beauty of Japan’s culture, like the tradition of Hanami—viewing cherry blossoms in full bloom. However, even among Japanese people, few know the origin of the term "Sakura" and why the cherry blossom is called as such. So, why did it come to be called "Sakura"?
Since ancient times, the Japanese have expressed happiness as "幸 (sachi)." This is why the "さ (sa)" in "Sakura" represents happiness. The Japanese once believed that gods who bring happiness resided in the mountains. Even today, many places enshrine gods at mountain peaks for this reason.
These gods were believed to descend from the mountains to the villages in spring and remain there until the autumn harvest. These gods were known as "さ (sa)-no-kami," or the gods of "sa." The cherry blossom served as a signal that these "sa-no-kami" had come down from the mountains to the villages.
The word "Sakura" is derived from "さ (sa)"—the gods of "sa"—and "来る (kuru)"—to come.
The blooming of cherry blossoms symbolized the descent of the "sa-no-kami" to the villages. The celebration of Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, originally began as a ritual of joy and gratitude for the arrival of these gods who brought happiness. It was a sacred ceremony to express appreciation for the descent of the "sa-no-kami" and for the blessings of the harvest they would bestow.
There is a concept called "Yoshuku （予祝）" which means celebrating and rejoicing over a future event to make it a reality. In ancient Japan, various rituals of "Yoshuku" were performed as part of agricultural customs, where people would symbolically reenact the harvest and pray for a bountiful year.
Additionally, the sound "さ (sa)" carries a spiritual meaning of quickness, as seen in words like "さっさ (sassa)" (quickly), "早速 (sassoku)" (immediately), and "颯爽 (sassō)" (briskly). This notion is tied to why cherry blossoms scatter so quickly. The "sa-no-kami" temporarily sealed the happiness they brought within the petals of the cherry blossoms to share with everyone.
This is why the Japanese believed that each petal of the cherry blossoms is filled with happiness. And that happiness is released all around when the blossoms fall. To spread happiness to all, the cherry blossoms had to fall quickly.
In this way, the Japanese have long believed that each sound carries a unique energy and power, a concept known as "Kotodama." If you look up "Kotodama" in the dictionary, it is defined as follows:
"A mysterious power believed to dwell in words in ancient Japan. It was thought to have the power to manifest results according to the words spoken."
While it is described in this way, the essence of "Kotodama" is that words carry a mysterious power. And just as in the spirit of the cherry blossom, what Sakura & Clay strives to achieve every day is to bring happiness to our customers through the carefully selected Japanese products we introduce.
About "Clay"
The name “Clay” in Sakura and Clay is inspired by Japan’s deep cultural heritage, tracing back to the Jomon period (14,000–300 BCE), one of the earliest eras of pottery making in the world. The artisans of this time crafted pottery with a distinctive aesthetic—characterized by coiled textures, intricate designs, and a profound connection to nature and spirituality.
For us, “Clay” is a tribute to this ancient art form. Jomon pottery was not just utilitarian; it served as a medium for expression, ritual, and connection. The handcrafted process echoed the natural beauty of earth and fire, transforming raw clay into objects that were both functional and deeply symbolic. These vessels embodied the essence of life, used in daily rituals, celebrations, and even burial rites—a timeless reminder of the bond between humans and nature.
By choosing “Clay” for our brand name, Sakura and Clay honors this heritage, uniting the enduring craftsmanship of ancient Japan with today’s refined artistry in fine pottery. This name pays homage to clay’s ability to hold stories, memories, and history, weaving past and present into every piece we create. Just as Jomon pottery once captured the spirit of its people, our pieces bring the beauty, heritage, and authenticity of Japan into modern life, inviting our customers to connect with tradition, artistry, and the enduring spirit of Japanese craftsmanship.