Author: Benkei

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/

An exhibition titled as “Everyone’s Car Exhibition: The History and Future of People and Automobiles” has been held at the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum in the city of Fuefuki in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, during July 12 through September 1, 2025.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamanashi_Prefectural_Museum; https://jomon.co/en/point/detail/11/

1917 Milburn Light Electric and TOYOPET Crown Deluxe

1917 Milburn Light Electric and TOYOPET Crown Deluxe (FR/3MT), Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 8/06/2025

https://heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/hmg/1917-milburn-light-electric/; (In Japanese) https://www.webcg.net/articles/-/48132

TOYOTA 2000GT and SUBARU 360

TOYOTA 2000GT and SUBARU 360, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 8/06/2025

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_2000GT; (In Japanese) https://toyota-automobile-museum.jp/archives/stories/detail/852.html; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_360; (In Japanese) https://members.subaru.jp/know/museum/subaru360/

Jinrikisha or Pulled rickshaw https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulled_rickshaw; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickshaw

Jinrikisha or Pulled rickshaw, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 8/06/2025

FYI

Toyota Automobile Museums: https://toyota-automobile-museum.jp/en/; https://www.tcmit.org/english

Subaru Automobile Museums: https://members.subaru.jp/know/museum/; https://automuseums.info/japan/subaru-visitor-center; https://www.subaruofrochestermn.com/subarus-secret-museum/

Rickshaw in Tokyo: https://jidaiya.biz/index-e.html; (In Japanese) https://www.rickshaw-asakusa.com/; https://tokyo-rickshaw.tokyo/

Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen Shrine (Northern Entrance-Head Fuji Sengen Shrine) is said that the initial shrine was built to pacify the frequent eruptions of Mount Fuji in 110 A.D. and later in 788, it was moved to the current location. The old trees near the main building were believed to be more than 1,000 years old. Behind the shrine, there is the starting point of the Yoshida Trail for climbing Mount Fuji.

https://sengenjinja.jp/english/index.html; https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/R1-00147.html; https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/trails/yoshida-trail.html

Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, 8/02/2025

Oga (or Ohga) sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is said that the ancient lotus species was discovered in the city of Chiba, Japan by Dr. Oga Ichiro. The seeds were found in a peat layer and estimated to be about 2,000 years old. He succeeded in germinating one of the seeds and bloomed it. The plants originated from this scred lotus were named Oga lotus after him. The plants were transplanted into 35 locations. One of them is here in the city of Nirasaki in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.

Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelumbo_nucifera; https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/sacred_lotus.htm

Flowers and receptacles of the Oga sacred lotuses, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/30/2025

https://history-here.com/en/stories/ohga-lotus; (In Japanese) https://www.nirasaki-kankou.jp/kankou_spot/kouen_bijyutsukan_shiryokan/kouen_teien/4330.html; https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E8%B3%80%E3%83%8F%E3%82%B9

https://www.bbg.org/article/plant_profile_sacred_lotus_nelumbo_nucifera; https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=244; https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/2/2257

Receptacle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Receptacle_(botany)

Water lily (Nymphaeaceae) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaeaceae

Leaves of the water lilies, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/30/2025

Sounds of the cicadas surrounding the scene:

Cicadas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada

Meadowsweet (Filipendula multijuga) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipendula; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipendula_multijuga

Filipendula multijuga, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Japanese Spiraea, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Lilium leichtlinii (Lilium leichtlinii) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/lilium-leichtlinii-leichtlins-lily; https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_leichtlinii; https://nikko-bg.jp/nikko-old/5_jokyo/species/Lilium_leichtlinii.html

Lilium leichtlinii, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Japanese thistle (Cirsium japonicum) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirsium_japonicum; https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/noazami.htm

Japanese thistle, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanguisorba_officinalis; https://nikko-bg.jp/nikko-old/5_jokyo/species/Sanguisorba_officinalis.html; https://www.pharm.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/yakusodb/detail/003687.php; https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/great-burnet

Great burnet, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Geranium yesoense var. nipponicum (Geranium yesoense) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geranium; https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/hakusanhuuro.htm; (In Japanese) https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%8F%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B5%E3%83%B3%E3%83%95%E3%82%A6%E3%83%AD

Geranium yesoense, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamaenerion_angustifolium; https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/55983-Chamerion-angustifolium

Fireweed, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Dianthus superbus L. var. longicalycinus (Dianthus superbus)

Dianthus superbus, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Aquilegia buergeriana https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_buergeriana; https://www.ootk.net/cgi/shikihtml/shiki_1136.htm; https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AB:Aquilegia_buergeriana_08.jpg; https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/kibananoyamaodamaki.htm

Aquilegia buergeriana, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Common self-heal, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Siebold’s plantain lily (Hosta sieboldiana) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosta_sieboldiana

Siebold’s plantain lily, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Sium suave Walter var. nipponicum (?), Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Anaphalis margaritacea https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaphalis_margaritacea; https://neko-net.com/hana/archives/2018

Anaphalis margaritacea (?), Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Japanese lady bell (Adenophora triphylla) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adenophora_triphylla; (In Japanese) https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%84%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AC%E3%83%8D%E3%83%8B%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B8%E3%83%B3

Japanese lady bell (?), Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

(In Japanese) Wildflowers in Mount Amari https://www.nirasaki-kankou.jp/kankou_spot/amariyama/amariyama_flower/6670.html