Month: August 2025

Choju jinbutsu giga (literally means “Animal-person Caricatures”), commonly shortened to Choju giga (literally “Animal Caricatures”), is a set of four picture scrolls, or emakimono, belonging to Kōzan temple in Kyoto, Japan. The Choju jinbutsu giga scrolls are also referred to as Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans and Scrolls of Frolicking Animals in English. 

The  first and second scrolls of Choju jinbutsu giga are usually thought to have been painted in the mid-12th century, whereas the third and fourth scrolls may date in the 13th century. They seemed to be writtten by several artists. Choju jinbutsu giga is frequently described as the first manga (Japanese-style commics or graphic novels) in Japan. Manga and anime (Japanese animation) are deeply ingrained in Japanese society.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%8Dj%C5%AB-jinbutsu-giga

https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/en/R1-00419.html

https://kyoto-kosanji.jp/en/treasure/06/; (In Japanese) https://kosanji.com/chojujinbutsugiga/

Anime and manga: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime_and_manga; https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2070.html; https://www.japantravelpros.com/blog/japan-travel-anime-manga; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_manga

Also, please refer to the article of Enjoy Pop Art in Yamanashi on August 24, 2025: https://yamanashietsuo.net/enjoy-pop-art-in-yamanashi/

Tsuboniwa Nature Park is a natural garden located on a lava plateau around Tsuboniwa Station, the last stop of the Kita-Yatsugatake ropeway (2,237m above sea level), about 7 minutes from Sanroku Station, and is also the gateway to climbing Kita-Yokodake and other mountains. Tsuboniwa Nature Park, which originated from a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, looks like a traditional Japanese garden (thus the name “tsuboniwa”).

https://navi.chinotabi.jp/en/spot/3057/; https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/spot/02301-14421676/

https://www.kitayatu.jp/en/; https://navi.chinotabi.jp/en/spot/1427/; https://db.go-nagano.net/en/topics_detail6/id=12326

Kita-Yatsugatake Ropeway, Kitayama, Chino, Nagano, 2025/08/30

Tsuboniwa Nature Park, Kitayama, Chino, Nagano, 2025/08/30

A fir wave is a set of alternating bands of fir trees in sequential stages of development, observed in forests on exposed mountain slopes in several areas, including northeastern North America and Japan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fir_wave; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_veitchii

Fir waves are mostly seen in Abies veitchii forests in Japan.

Dead trees possibly form a fir wave, Tsuboniwa Nature Park, Kitayama, Chino, Nagano, 2025/08/30

Peacock butterfly (Aglais io) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aglais_io

Tsuboniwa Nature Park, Kitayama, Chino, Nagano, 2025/08/30

https://www.fujigokokisen.jp/contents/en/; (In Japanese) https://www.fujigokokisen.jp/

Lake Kawaguchi Sightseeing Boat “Appare,” Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi, 8/27/2025

Some more pictures of Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi https://yamanashietsuo.net/from-a-tour-of-mount-fuji-5th-waypoint-and-lake-kawaguchi/; https://etsuo.tokyo/2023/04/

New Orleans Jazz Festival at Kobuchisawa 2025 featuring Thomas Fischer & New Orleans Jazz All Stars was conducted at the town of Kobuchisawa in the city of Hokuto in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan on August 26, 2025. An opening act was performed by Risa Wanibuchi (soprano).

New Orleans Jazz Festival at Kobuchisawa 2025, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 8/26/2025

ARSOA Goddess of the Forest Symphonia Hall Garden, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 8/26/2025

THOMAS FISCHER & NEW ORLEANS JAZZ ALL STARS (a jazz session formed for Japan tours):

Thomas Fisher (clarinet & leader), Richard Moten (bass), Thomas Hook (piano), Charles Fardella (trumpet), Caleb Windsay (trombone), Gerald French (drums) was substituted, and Yolanda Robinson (singer).

Yamanashi is hot in Pop Art this summer. An exhibition of POP ART: THE FAB 4! & 4 SPECIAL GUESTS has been held at the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art during July 12 through August 24, 2025. https://www.art-museum.pref.yamanashi.jp/exhibition/2025/1627.html. The same exhibition will be held at the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design from September 6 to October 26, 2025. https://tad-toyama.jp/en/exhibition-event/category/exhibition.

THE FAB 4!, four fabulous artists, are Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997), Andy Warhol (1928-1987), Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008), and Jasper Johns (1930-) who led the pop art movement in the United States of America in the 1960s.

In the NAKAMURA KEITH HARING COLLECTION in the city of Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, an exhibition titled Keith Haring: Arching Lines has been held during June 07, 2025 through May 17, 2026. https://www.nakamura-haring.com/; https://www.nakamura-haring.com/en/exhibition/14638/. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Keith Haring’s passing (1958–1990). His artwork and merchandise continue to inspire, delight, and empower people around the world.

FYI

Pop art: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_art.

A Guide to Japanese Pop & Contemporary Art: Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, and Yoshitomo Nara, https://www.myartbroker.com/all/articles/guide-to-japanese-pop-and-contemporary-art.

What has Japanese Pop Art ever done for the World?: https://www.japan-zone.com/features/032_japanese_pop_art.shtml.

An Introduction to Japanese Pop Art: Origins, Superflat and Global Impact, https://www.customcanvascollective.com/blogs/blog/an-introduction-to-japanese-pop-art-origins-superflat-and-global-impact?srsltid=AfmBOooCmY4nYfPPIOdkbXLNGqbs254jddsUywo36CglwPy1fQhhyGer; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superflat.

Anime and Manga: The Global Influence of Japanese Pop Culture, https://akjapanimports.com/2024/05/15/anime-and-manga-the-global-influence-of-japanese-pop-culture/.

Apple trees and grape vines in Akeno district in the city of Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.

Apple and grape fields, Akeno, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 8/20, 2025

The common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is very popular all over the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_sunflower; https://www.kew.org/plants/sunflower

This year’s Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival was held during July 19 through August 17, 2025. https://hokutosunfes.com/

Common sunflowers, Akeno, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 8/20/2025

Double-flowered sunflowers (Helianthus annuus), Akeno, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 8/20/2025

Sunfinity sunflowers (Helianthus interspecific), Akeno, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 8/20/2025

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=437613&isprofile=0&pt=1; https://mygardenlife.com/plant-library/sunflower-sunfinity-helianthus-interspecific

Also, please visit the sites of my previous articles: August 24, 2023: https://yamanashietsuo.net/sunflowers-and-apples/, August 19, 2018: https://yamanashietsuo.net/2018/08/, and August 13, 2022: https://etsuo.tokyo/2022/08/.

FYI

Vincent van Gogh Sunflowers: https://www.sompo-museum.org/en/collection/gogh/

Akeno Sunflower Festival 2026: https://jal.japantravel.com/yamanashi/akeno-sunflower-festival-2025/59604

What are invasive alien species? You may visit the websites of invasive species and introduced species:

https://www.cbd.int/invasive

https://www.pref.yamanashi.jp.e.aao.hp.transer.com/shizen/nagaeturunogeitou.html

https://www.env.go.jp/nature/intro/2outline/files/siteisyu_list_e.pdf

https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/invasive-alien-species_en

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduced_species

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/introduced-species

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_introduced_species

Six major notorious plant invasive alien species have been reported in Yamanashi Prefecture:

1. Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coreopsis_lanceolata

https://www.town.aichi-higashiura.lg.jp/material/files/group/34/ookinnkeigikunomiwakekata.pdf

https://www.nies.go.jp/biodiversity/invasive/DB/detail/80490e.html

Also, please read the article “Invasive Plants: Lance-leaved tickseed and Kudzu” on June 08, 2022: https://etsuo.tokyo/2022/06/ and “Summery Day! And Lance-Leaved Tickseed” on May 18, 2022: https://etsuo.tokyo/2022/05/

2. Oneseed bur cucumber (Sicyos angulatus)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicyos_angulatus

https://www.nies.go.jp/biodiversity/invasive/DB/detail/80220e.html

https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/aretiuri.htm

3. Long-headed poppy (Papaver dubium)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papaver_dubium

https://www.nies.go.jp/biodiversity/invasive/DB/detail/80080e.html

https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/nagamihinagesi.htm

4. Tall Golden rod (Solidago altissima)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidago_altissima

https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/seitakaawadatisou.htm

https://www.nies.go.jp/biodiversity/invasive/DB/detail/80600e.html

Also, please read the article “Roadside Plants in Nakano, Nagano” on October 22, 2023: https://yamanashietsuo.net/2023/10/.

5. Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata)

https://www.nies.go.jp/biodiversity/invasive/DB/detail/80580e.html

https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/oohangonsou.htm

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/hozen/12/2/12_KJ00004784742/_article/-char/en

6. Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)

https://www.nies.go.jp/biodiversity/invasive/DB/detail/81140e.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternanthera_philoxeroides

https://www.city.saga.lg.jp/site_files/file/usefiles/downloads/11812_20140226051621.pdf

Nishizawa Gorge is a valley located at the source of the Fuefuki River in the city of Yamanashi in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. It is known for its stunning scenery, including waterfalls and a hiking trail that follows the river. The gorge is part of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park and is a popular destination for hiking and enjoying the seasonal nature of the northeastern Yamanashi area. 

Nishizawa Gorge, Yamanashi-city, Yamanashi, 8/13/2025

Also, please visit the article Hiking the Nishizawa Gorge Trail on May 06, 2021: https://etsuo.tokyo/2021/05/.

For more information about the Nishizawa Gorge:

Nishizawa Keikoku: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6951.html; Nishizawa Gorge: https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/recover/nishizawa-gorge.html; Nishizawa Gorge hike: https://ridgelineimages.com/hiking/nishizawa-gorge/; Nishizawa Valley: https://www-yamanashishi–kankou-com.translate.goog/nature/nishizawa_keikoku/?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja; Nishizawa Valley: https://yamanashi–hiking100-jp.translate.goog/course/detail/46?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en; Hiking the Nishizawa Gorge: https://en.japantravel.com/yamanashi/hiking-the-nishizawa-gorge/4110

“La Peinture Naïve Française Contemporaine” Exhibition of Contemporary French Naive Painting —Fantasy companions in a fairytale world— has been held at the MINAMI-ALPS Municipal Museum of Art in the city of Minami-Alps in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan during July 19 through September 15, 2025.

MINAMI-ALPS Municipal Museum of Art: (In Japanese) https://www.minamialps-museum.jp/?p=1296; https://www.minamialps-museum.jp/

André Duranton (French Painter, born 1905 – died 2010?):

Cats Stealing Fish and A Cat With Butterflies by André Duranton, MINAMI-ALPS Municipal Museum of Art, Minami-Alps, Yamanashi, 8/08/2025

A Calico Cat On The Table and A Cat With Roses by André Duranton, MINAMI-ALPS Municipal Museum of Art, Minami-Alps, Yamanashi, 8/08/2025

FYI

(In Japanese) https://www.onomichi-museum.jp/exhibition/files/2005_6.pdf; https://www.sogo-seibu.jp/common/museum/archives/08/0901_france/