Author: Benkei

Chinese hackberry tree, Arakawa River, Kofu, Yamanashi, 12/09/2024 & 10/11/2024

A large Chinese hackberry (Celtis sinensis) tree on the river bank of the Arakawa River in the city of Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture.

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

Koshu-Hyakume (Diospyros kaki ) is an astringent persimmon variety which has been commonly used for Hoshigaki (Dried persimmons) and Anpogaki (Semi-dried persimmons) in Yamanashi Prefecture for a long time. The name of the variety derives from Hyakumomme. Hyaku is the Japanese word for 100 and the monme is the old Japanese unit of weight equivalent to 3.75 grams. A common persimmon fruit weighs about 200g; however, a Koshu-Hyakume fruit weighs about 375g. The sugar content of fresh persimmons is usually around 20%. To make Hoshigaki, first the pericarp (skin) of fresh persimmons is peeled and skinless persimmons are strung to hung from the eaves of a house to dry. After drying and removing the astringency of persimmons, the sugar content of the dried persimmons becomes about 70%.

Korogaki are hoshigski of Koshu-Hyakume persimmons. It takes about 45 days from harvesting to completing the drying process. The duration is about two times of those of other common persimmons. Peeled persimmons are hung from the eaves of a house for about three weeks. One week after drying, the water content of persimmons becomes about 50% and these are named Anpogaki which have jelly-like texture and are juicy. In order to make Korogaki, the drying process is continued further more than one month. When the water content of persimmons becomes about 20% and the sweetness is strengthened, these are named Korogaki. The cold and dry wind from the Minami-Alps mountains helps the drying process of persimmons. When the drying process is complete, the size of persimmons becomes about one third of the original one. By gentle-hand kneading (Temomi in Japanese), separating the seed from the pulp, the remaining water inside the fruit is dispersed entirely and the fruit is dried evenly. The next process is the rack-drying. Half-dried persimmons are put on racks with rice straw to dry them flat-shaped. The persimmons over the racks are turned over every three days. There is a hollow inside the straw which helps absorb the moisture. Once a dimple is formed in the fruit, the rack-drying process is complete. The dried persimmons are left inside the house for about two days. The pulp of the persimmons is shriveled and a frosty layer is formed on the surface. Hoshigai of these persimmons are called Korogaki.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diospyros_kaki; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persimmon

Koshu-Hyakume persimmons, Iwanami Farm, Enzan, Koshu, Yamanashi, 12/07/2024

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%94%B2%E5%B7%9E%E7%99%BE%E7%9B%AE

Korogaki (Koshu-Hyakume hoshigaki), Iwanami Farm, Enzan, Koshu, Yamanashi, 12/07/2024

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dried_persimmon; https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Hyakume_Persimmons_6662.php

Drying Koshu-Hyakume persimmons, Iwanami Farm, Enzan, Koshu, Yamanashi, 12/07/2024

Apples (Malus domestica), Iwanami Farm, Enzan, Koshu, Yamanashi, 12/07/2024

Smartweed (Persicaria capitata) and purple heart (Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’), Iwanami Farm, Enzan, Koshu, Yamanashi, 12/07/2024

Erinji (Erin Temple) is a Buddhist temple belonging to the Myoshin-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen. It is located in the area of Enzan in the city of Koshu, Yamanashi Prefecture.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin-ji; https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/uncover/erinji-temple.html; https://erinji.jp/

Also, please refer to the article: Visiting Erinji Temple (https://etsuo.tokyo/2021/06/).

Coloring leaves of the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) trees in the garden of The Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Kofu, Yamanashi, 12/04/2024

An Exhibition titled “In the Genes, Taking Marvelous Meiji Craftsmanship into the Future” has been held at The Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art from November 20, 2024 through February 2, 2025.

https://www.art-museum.pref.yamanashi.jp/; https://www.art-museum.pref.yamanashi.jp/exhibition/2024/1332.html; https://www.art-museum.pref.yamanashi.jp/english/

“Moonlight” Wood carving, Otake Ryoho, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Kofu, Yamanashi, 12/04/2024

“Kingdom” Embroidery, Cagiyu Aya, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Kofu, Yamanashi, 12/04/2024

“A Moment: Dried cuttlefish and sake cup” Wood carving, Maehara Fuyuki, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Kofu, Yamanashi, 12/04/2024

“Puddling” Wood carving, Fukuda Toru, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Kofu, Yamanashi, 12/04/2024

“Enso” Metalwork, Hongo Shinya, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Kofu, Yamanashi, 12/04/2024

Gingko (Ginkgo biloba) leaves in the parking lot, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Kofu, Yamanashi, 12/04/2024

An exhibition titled “The Gaze of the Present” from October 17 through January 19, 2025 and another exhibition titled “Alec Soth: A Room of Rooms” from October 10 through January 19, 2025 have been held at The Tokyo Photographic Art Museum in the city of Tokyo.

https://topmuseum.jp/e/contents/index.html

“Father” by Kanagawa Shingo, The Gaze of the Present and “Park Hyatt Hotel, Tokyo (self-portrait)” by Alec Soth, A Room of Rooms, Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Mita, Meguro-ward, Tokyo, 12/03/2024

An exhibition titled “Fukuda Heihachirō × The Rimpa School” has been held at The Yamatane Museum of Art in the city of Tokyo from 29 September through 8 December, 2024.

https://www.yamatane-museum.jp/exh/english/2024/FukudaHeihachiro.html

A grocery store near the Museum, Shibuya-ward, Tokyo, 12/03/2024

Gingko (Ginkgo biloba) trees near the Museum, Shibuya-ward, Tokyo, 12/03/2024

Japanese ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) plants near the Museum, Shibuya-ward, Tokyo, 12/03/2024

Views from Shindo Pass Fujiyama Twin Terrace: Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 11/30/2024

Also, please refer to two articles: “Great Views of Mount Fuji from Shindo Pass Fujiyama Twin Terrace” on November 22, 2023 and “Fujiyama (Mount Fuji) Twin Terrace from The Shindo (New Road) Pass on January 30, 2024.

Town Road Sign, Rokugo, Ichikawamisato, Yamanashi, 11/25/2024

About 50% of name stamps, known as hanko, used in Japan are made in the Rogugo area in the town of Ichikawamisato, Yamanashi Prefecture. First, please read the article posted on November 3, 2021, https://etsuo.tokyo/.

NHK programs about hanko, https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/2032263/, Broadcast on May 12, 2022 / Available until March 31, 2025; https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/6032032/, Broadcast on October 13, 2023 / Available until March 31, 2026.

Rokugo Seal Museum: https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/discover/rokugo-seal-museum.html.

Rokugo Seal Engravers Cooperative Association: https://minobunavi.jp/en/facility/rokugo-en/.

Yamanashi Fujikawa Craft Park (https://www.kirienomori.jp/).

Poplar (Populus tremula), Fujikawa Craft Park, Minobu, Yamanashi, 11/25/2024

Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), Fujikawa Craft Park, Minobu, Yamanashi, 11/25/2024

Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), Fujikawa Craft Park, Minobu, Yamanashi, 11/25/2024