Author: Benkei

The United Nations designated June 5 as World Environment Day and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is said that, although it was not much on the news, this day is an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and communities to deepen their understanding and take responsible action to protect our environment. Especially, this year it was called for collective action to tackle worldwide microplastic pollution. 

https://www.unep.org/events/un-day/world-environment-day-2025

https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/

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

https://www.unesco.org/en/days/environment?hub=180536

https://www.un.org/en/observances/environment-day

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

https://www.unep.org/ietc/news/blogpost/5-june-world-environment-day-2025-beatplasticpollution

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/06/world-environment-day-plastic-pollution-solutions/

The black walnut (Juglans nigra) trees have borne fruit in the bank of the Kamanashi River in the city of Nirasaki in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juglans_nigra; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juglans

Black walnut trees, Kamanashi River, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 5/31/2025

An exhibition of The Beauty of the Imperial Household in Connection with Yamanashi: The Masterpieces of the Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan has been held at the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art in the city of Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan from April 26 through June 1, 2025. https://shozokan.nich.go.jp/en/; https://www.art-museum.pref.yamanashi.jp/. The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan is temporarily closed from May 7, 2025 to expand its facilities.

Chinese Lions Regal presence of roaring lions, the originals were drawn by Kano Eitoku and Kano Tsunenobu and owned by The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan, https://tsumugu.yomiuri.co.jp/en/gallery/

The right screen by Kano Eitoku, Momoyama period, 16th century and the left screen by Kano Tsunenobu, Edo period, 17th century, Image courtesy of Canon, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Kofu, Yamanashi, 5/29/2025

In the garden of the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art:

The Big Apple No. 45 by Masaaki Sato, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Kofu, Yamanashi, 5/29/2025

https://etsuo.tokyo/2022/06/; https://yamanashietsuo.net/masaaki-sato-exhibition/; https://yamanashietsuo.net/the-big-apple-no-50/; https://www.masaakisato.com/

Maple trees, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Kofu, Yamanashi, 5/29/2025

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_palmatum, https://www.gardenia.net/plant/acer-palmatum-atropurpureum

https://www.art-museum.pref.yamanashi.jp/park/, https://www.art-museum.pref.yamanashi.jp/english/

Calystegia pubescens, commonly known as Japanese bindweed, is a species of bindweed (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calystegia_pubescens). This species is a weedy wildflower distributed in Japan, South Korea, and countries in south-eastern Asia. Bindweed or false bindweed (Calystegia) resembles morning glory (Ipomoea nil). Both are climbing plants. Yet, there are different characteristics. Ipomoea nil is the annual with different leaf shapes and has a typical tap-root system of dicotyledons while Calystegia pubescens is the perennial with specific leaf shapes and has an extensive root system of both vertical and lateral roots, including rhizomes (underground stems) and its seeds remain dormant in the soil for many years making it difficult to eradicate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calystegia; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calystegia_pubescens; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipomoea_nil

Bindweed growing in the roadside next to a drugstore, Kofu, Yamanashi, 5/25/2025

Gekkasosha is a bed and breakfast located in the town of Kobuchisawa in the city of Hokuto in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. (In Japanese) https://gekkasosha.net/. The owner also organizes salon concerts. There was a baroque concert one afternoon by Duo Rutin. The B&B has a nice garden. Here are some plants growing there.

Butterbur (Petasites japonicus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petasites_japonicus

Butterbur, Gekkasosha, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 5/18/2025

Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelidonium_majus

Greater celandine, Gekkasosha, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 5/18/2025

Fairy bells (Disporum viridescens): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disporum_viridescens; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disporum

Fairy bells, Gekkasosha, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 5/18/2025

Japanese dog’s tooth violet (Erythronium japonicum): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythronium_japonicum

Japanese dog’s tooth violet, Gekkasosha, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 5/18/2025

Moss phlox (Phlox subulata): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phlox_subulata

Moss phlox, Gekkasosha, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 5/18/2025

Duo Rutin is composed of Asakura Mikira (Flauto traverso) and Kimura Fumi (Virginal). The next Duo Rutin concert is scheduled at a Cafe Kumakarado in Nakano, Tokyo on June 8th, 2025.

(In Japanese) https://kumakarado.com/

Kenshin Falls, Hayakawa, Yamanashi, 5/17/2025

The Amehata area is known throughout Japan as one of the best sources of inkstones (suzuri), a slate-based object used in traditional Japanese calligraphy to produce ink: https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/discover/amehata-suzuri-no-sato-kenshoan.html.

Amehata inkstones: (In Japanese) https://houkendo.base.shop/; https://www2.nhk.or.jp/archives/movies/?id=D0004990681_00000

About an inkstone: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkstone; https://www.inkston.com/shops/inkstone/

Also, please visit the following site as well: https://etsuo.tokyo/2021/09/, 2021-09-12 Ink-stone House Kenshoan _ Hayakawa-town.

~ Kawaguchiko ~ Mt. Fuji panorama ropeway; https://www.mtfujiropeway.jp/en/

Mount Fuji Aerial Swing, Kawaguchiko Obsevatin Deck, Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi, 5/15/2025

Arakawa Riverbank, Kofu, Yamanashi, 5/12/2025

Brown mustard (Brassica juncea) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassica_juncea

Brown mustard, Arakawa River, Kofu, Yamanashi, 5/08/2025

Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifolium_dubium; https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trifolium-dubium/

Lesser Trefoil, Arakawa River, Kofu, Yamanashi, 5/08/2025

“Shinryoku” in Japanese refers to the fresh, vibrant green color of young leaves seen in spring and early summer, or the trees themselves displaying this color. It’s a beautiful time of year when nature feels particularly alive and refreshing.

The trees with young leaves in the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamanashi_Prefectural_Museum

Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cercidiphyllum_japonicum;

Katsura trees, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 5/06/2025

Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornus_kousa

Kousa Dogwood trees, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 5/06/2025

Lilytree (Magnolia denudata) or Yulan magnolia  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia_denudata

Lilytree or Yulan magnolia trees, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 5/06/2025