Field Notes Vol. 1, No. 1
Saihoji Kokedera, Moss Temple, Kyoto, Japan (2025)
Moss, where it all began…
Moss arrived second on the planet, just after algae, and it surely will survive long past the decline of human civilization. Soft, quiet, resilient, it grows in cracks and crevices, filling overlooked spaces with its gentle beauty. The sight of its poufy greenness on a city sidewalk or spread across a stone can transport us instantly—to the verdant mossscapes of our mind: a lush forest in the Pacific Northwest, a Scottish bog, a sacred space like Kyoto’s legendary moss temple, Saihoji Kokedera.
Spring Moon Design began with this sense of wonder. Our vision is to commission and curate one-of-a-kind works that spark such unexpected moments—objects crafted with care, inspired by nature’s beauty, and designed to endure. At the beginning of each season, we will introduce a new collection tied to one organic species.
Where better to start our debut autumn collection than with the second oldest species on the planet? One found throughout the world?
To create our moss collection, Spring Moon Design sought out talented artists and artisans from across the globe — a ceramist from Tijuana, an illustrator from Paris, a composer from Dublin, a woodworker from Montana, and Indigenous weavers from Haida Gwaii in British Columbia — to reflect on moss in their respective mediums. You can expect tactile, sculptural objects and melodic vibrations that capture its delicate radiance and textures.
In addition to our seasonal Moss Collection, tied to autumn, we feature an evergreen Everyday Collection: an edited assemblage of artifacts and art works from near and far whose forms and palette take their cue from the natural world. Each is a singular object with a story, meant to inspire reflection, evoke memories, and blur the boundaries between interior and exterior.
Spring Moon Design opens on October 7th. Until then, we’ll be sharing glimpses of the process and inspirations that led here. Thank you for being a part of our first chapter.
Until our next issue, we leave with you a link to the gorgeous website for the captivating Saihoji Kokedera, Moss Temple.
Kind regards,
Michelle Standley,
Founder, Spring Moon Design
