Kisetsu - Rain and Dew

"(...) O cuidadoso ritual de transformar o rosto em porcelana viva, moldar os cabelos num arranjo exótico e envolver-se em camadas harmoniosas de seda pareceu a Ame, naquela noite, um processo incomodamente rápido. Olhar-se no espelho, por fim, e soterrar o semblante amargo com um sorriso doce de boneca teria sido difícil se a jovem não estivesse tão habituada a fazê-lo. (...)"

Kisetsu - Primavera, Cap.6

 "(...) The careful ritual of turning her face into living porcelain, shape her hair in an exotic swirl and wrap herself in harmonious layers of silk seemed to Ame, that night, like an uncomfortably fast process. Gazing at the mirror and burying a bitter countenance under a sweet doll-like smile would have been difficult if the young woman weren't so used to doing so. (...)

Kisetsu - Spring, Chpt.6

 

Illustration for my novel, Kisetsu, featuring Ametsuyu, a high-ranking courtesan from Akahana, and one of the main characters of the story. 

Ametsuyu, meaning "rain and dew" is her stage name, more flourished than a regular name would usually be. Stage names like so were common among artists and courtesans in ancient Japan. Most people, though, just call her "Ame".

Ajisai (hydrangea) was chosen to portray her, for being a summer flower related to the summer rainy season. It's also a flower which blooms in different colors, from pink to blue hues, depending on the soil conditions. This dual nature is symbolic to Ametsuyu's divided feelings regarding... well, I'll give you no spoilers! ;)