Fluffbuff

  I mean, happy new year. I know, I am 17 days early on the Chinese calendar, but I thought I'd give you a heads up in case you want to make some fun New Year's cards.

I was looking at a Japanese magazine I picked up in November… not sure what it's called really, other than on one corner it says Super Premium Magazine Serai. I'm not even sure what its main focus is, but — at least for this issue — the main event is how to make your own New Year's cards. Lots of pictures and detailed instructions from the point of view of calligraphy, woodcut, and rubber stamping. The woodcuts are especially attractive with their irrepressible energy.

Most of the cards depict wild boars. These little beasts have always fascinated me and I find the pairing of wild boars and woodcut irresistible. There's something medieval about both and perhaps that's part of the charm, as the Middle Ages are far more interesting to me than other historical periods.

And this persimmon-colored wild boar is too cute.