comfort in every season

There is magic in the realisation that no matter how much the world shifts and revolves, every season holds its own reason to pause, gather, and raise a glass.

When Zhefei wrote in, he sought to create a piece centered around happiness and the warmth of shared moments. For him, Japan has always been a personal favourite, a place where life's rhythm feels intentional and deeply connected to nature. He proposed a concept where time is marked not by a clock but by four iconic Japanese spirits, each capturing the flavour and festivities of that season.

Together, we built a four-part narrative framing seasonal landscapes within Japanese alcohol bottles:
Spring signals a fresh beginning in Japan, defined by the cherished tradition of hanami—gathering with loved ones for food and drinks under the sakura trees. We captured this exact moment from his perspective: sipping sake beneath cherry blossoms, with the silhouette of a Japanese castle peeking through the petals just as he looks up from beneath the trees.

Summer brings the electric warmth of night festivals (matsuri). Here, he stands amidst the crowd with a glass of chilled shochu, gazing upwards through a string of glowing paper lanterns as Japan’s fireworks show light up the dark sky.

Autumn marks a time for reflection as the air turns crisp. We set a quiet, meditative scene: his thoughts slowing down while savoring a fine Japanese whisky, watching the crimson cover of Japanese maples (momiji) frame his view of a distant, sacred Torii gate.

Winter brings the thrill of the slopes, capturing him pausing for a quiet moment mid-snowboard session. Warm glass of sweet umeshu in hand, he looks out through snow covered barren branches as Mt. Fuji reveals her majestic peak through the clouds.

By transforming his favorite drinks and places into a year-round landscape, he is reminded that in every season of life, there is always warmth to be found and comfort to be shared in a drink.