Alba Yruela
Cherry Blossom, Don't Cry .
Sanjiroan -Tokonoma Exhibition-
Although on short notice, we are pleased to announce an exhibition of Alba Yruela’s new edition,Cherry Blossom, Don’t Cry. 桜花笑春風, to be held from Thursday, January 15 to Tuesday, January 20 in the tokonoma alcove of Sanjirō-an in Komatsu City.
The word shun (spring) appears in the Japanese expression shinchun (“New Spring”) because, in the traditional lunar calendar, the New Year was positioned around Risshun, the beginning of spring. The start of the year was therefore closely associated with the arrival of spring. Even so, in today’s world January is bitterly cold, and when we hear phrases like “the coldest wave of the season has arrived,” being told that this is a “new spring” can make us pause and wonder: Spring… really?
And yet, the New Year still carries a sense of celebration, a quiet excitement that stirs the heart. In this season—when that lingering sense of uplift gradually gives way to thoughts of spring—we present this hanging scroll in a traditional tatami room at Sanjirō-an, a space that looks out onto a moss garden carefully preserved for over a hundred years. While viewing the work, we invite you to gently turn your own feelings toward the coming of spring. This is the setting we have prepared.
Originally, this room was used as a living space, and simply stepping inside brings a sense of calm and ease. We hope you will take your time and enjoy the experience at your leisure.
On the final day, January 20, we are also planning a gathering titled Chikuchiku Ikirukai, kindly arranged by the artist IKIRU (Miuru). The previous gathering was relaxed and joyful, and we warmly welcome you to join us if your schedule allows.
Dates: Thursday, January 15th to Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
OPEN: 10:00-18:00
Location: Sanjiroan (inside Moritaka Wine and Local Sake)
Address: 51 Yawata-cho, Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture
*The opening hours during the event will be the same as Moritaka Wine and Local Sake, so please check there.
Alba Yruela
Artist Profile
Alba Yruela (b. 1989, Spain) grew up in Empordà, where she cultivated a deep affection for nature. She photographs the landscapes and people around her with an intimate and delicate approach, yet direct point of view. Her practice spans various media, including portraiture, still life, fashion, and video.
She has exhibited her work in cities such as Paris, Los Angeles, London, and Barcelona, and has published more than a dozen photobooks. Among them, her major work Diaris 2009–2019 has been highly praised as a beautiful and contemplative record that tenderly captures her inner world. Composed of over 500 photographs taken across a decade, the book weaves together personal recollection with an exploration of form, color, and light.
In her latest publication, Cherry Blossom, Don’t Cry (2025), Yruela reflects on an emotional shift experienced during her stay in Japan, portraying the transition from feeling lost to experiencing renewal through her characteristic gaze toward nature. An emotive interplay between the external world and her inner sensibility, captured through the full bloom of cherry blossoms.