Dance of the White Flower | 白花の舞 (Hakka no Mai) was deeply inspired by Steff's beautiful and iconic white hair which gave me the perfect visual cue to represent her through the falling snow, as white symbolizes grace, kindness, and elegance. I saw a similarity between the motion of snow and the gentle movement of hair as if her hair were dancing and covering the shrine. In this piece, she embodies the purity and serenity of snowflakes and a white blossom amid the snowfall, evoking the image of a graceful dance.

On the other hand, Steff is the sakura tree in this piece. Though she left Japan many years ago, her heart remains there. She is the white flowers—unseen, yet always present, like a memory or a lingering scent that lingers in the breeze.

白い花びら
神社に雪降り
冬の贈り

White blossoms drift,
Snow falls upon the shrine,
A gift of winter.

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In the hush of winter’s embrace,
A graceful bloom, a tranquil face.
With silver strands like falling snow,
She dances softly, a gentle glow.

Petals whisper in frosty air,
As winter’s breath weaves through her hair.
A shrine adorned in purest white,
Where dreams take flight in quiet night.

Each flake a kiss from heaven’s hand,
A fleeting touch upon the land.
In sacred stillness, she takes her place,
The white flower of the shrine’s grace.