A Sweet Slice of Crystal Clear Cakes
Blue Sky Jelly cake
Tomei is a Japanese artist who creates crystal clear desserts. With a delicate touch and an elegant feel, her luxurious desserts intrigue the mind and tickle the taste buds.
“My name is Tomei,” she introduced herself, “and my title is ‘Transparent Enthusiast.’ You can call me by either name, whichever you prefer. ‘Transparency’ refers to appearance and embodies the idea of having a clear mind and living a simple life. My approach to food follows the same philosophy.”
With a Scenography, Display, and Fashion Design degree from Musashino Art University, Tomei has graced social media with her exquisite cakes. Clouds and petals float gently in her jelly art, and her journey began with a simple question from a friend.
“Have you ever considered sharing what you love with the world?” her friend asked.
“I have always loved clear color and cooking since I was little,” Tomei shares. “With the hope of finding someone, somewhere in the world, who would appreciate the same things as me, I started sharing my food art primarily on social media.”
With an inspirational feed, Tomei’s creations add a slice of serenity to sweets. Tomei joined Ithraeyat for an interview about her art and shared an important message on life.
Courtesy of the artist.
I began creating my dishes with the desire to experience the seasons through taste. The cakes I make always have a "seasonal" theme. In Japan, there are four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and I draw inspiration from the unique landscapes seen in each season to craft my creations. For example, I make rock sugar cherry blossoms in spring, cakes that represent the blue summer sky, and snowflake candies for winter.
Thank you for your kind words! All the transparent desserts I share are indeed edible. The ingredients used in my jelly cakes include gelatin, fruit syrup, and edible flowers. I sometimes use alcohol for added flavor. The variety of edible flowers available depends on their blooming season, but for other ingredients, I make an effort to use those that are easily accessible through online stores or other sources so that everyone can easily give it a try.
I often receive comments from people who have watched my videos on YouTube, such as:
"I watch your videos every morning as part of my daily routine."
"Your creations have healed my heart."
Even though it's just one photo, there are truly various perspectives from which people can view it, and I would like to leave it up to the viewer's unique sensibilities. However, I would be delighted if the concept of transparency could become something that accompanies people's lives like water.
Courtesy of the artist.
"In a course meal, dessert comes last. But in life, have dessert first."
This is a message I send to my readers, as well as a message to myself. It means to eat what you want first, and in life, do what you want to do first.
I believe that presentation is important because the internet is a wonderful space where people from all countries and genders can access and connect with each other, and it also serves as a place for artists to express themselves.
In Japanese, the word "transparent" can also mean "nothing," and in the past, when I would say my favorite color was transparent, people around me would often be surprised. But now, I think there might be more people who would understand and agree if someone said they like transparency just like me. While transparency has always been a familiar concept, I sincerely hope that it becomes an opportunity for everyone to recognize and appreciate it anew.
Courtesy of the artist.
Indeed, sweetness and freshness are essential factors in bringing out the best flavors in desserts. I carefully tailor the flavors to match the colors and motifs of the sweets.
For example, a cake representing the blue sky has a rich taste from the cream cheese clouds, which is then enveloped in a tropical Blue Curaçao jelly, resulting in a gentle and refreshing flavor.
I will continue to create jellies that spark your imagination and make you wonder about their taste, so please look forward to them.
Looking back, I believe that I have been able to continue expressing myself through my creations because of the warm support from those around me. That's why I hope to give back by responding to that support and finding my own way to communicate with everyone, expressing my gratitude.
For those who are discovering me for the first time today, I hope that my works can deliver words of connection and help us all share moments of peace and tranquility together.
To explore more of Tomei’s crystal clear creations, view her sweets on Instagram @tomeinohito.
Courtesy of the artist.
