Author: Benkei

Posted on

Roadside Plants In Nakano, Nagano

Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) and Japanese honeybee (Apis cerana japonica), Nakano, Nagano, 10/16/2023

Curly dock (Rumex crispus), Nakano, Nagano, 10/16/2023

Brachymenium (Brachymenium exile), Nakano, Nagano, 10/16/2023

Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), Nakano, Nagano, 10/16/2023

Grape vines (Vitis vinifera), Nakano, Nagano, 10/16/2023

Juneberry (Amelanchier canadensis), Nakano, Nagano, 10/16/2023

Sun Fuji (Malus pumila), Nakano, Nagano, 10/16/2023

Shinano Gold (Malus pumila), Nakano, Nagano, 10/16/2023

True sedge (Carex papulosa) and Argynnis (Argynnis paphia), Nakano, Nagano, 10/16/2023

Posted on

Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum

The exhibition of Hirayama Ikuo, Drawing Ruins From The Near And Middle East To The Mediterranean, Together With Greece And Rome Collections has been held at Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum in Nagasaka, Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture during September 9 through December 27, 2023 (https://www.silkroad-museum.jp/english/).

Caravans travelling the Silk Road, paintings by Ikuo Hirayama, 2005

Mosaic Pavement

5-6 Century A.D., Syria, Marble

Seated Bodhisattva

Afghanistan Kushan Empire, 2-4 Century A.D, Statue

Standing Buddha

Gandhara, 7 Century A.D, Bronze

Dharmacakra and Stupa Relief, Satavahana Dynasty, Amaravati, India, 2-3 Century A.D, Limestone

Relief depicting Buddha’s life, Great Departure

Gandhara, Kushan Empire, 2-4 Century A.D, Chlorite schist

Relief depicting Buddha (The preparation of the seat of enlightement)

Gandhara, Kushan Empire, 2-3 Century A.D, Grey schist

A relief Buddha’s life story in the shape of an ancestral temple (Overcoming demons, attaining enlightement and the four heavenly kings serving bowls)

Gandhara, Kushan Empire, 3-4 Century A.D, Grey schist

Relief of the journey to Pure Land

Gandhara, Kushan Empire, 2-4 Century A.D, Grey schist

Relief depicting the story of Buddha’s life (Birth, departure, achievement of Buddhahood, setting into motion the wheel of Dhamma)

Gandhara, Kushan Empire, 1-3 Century A.D, Schist

Head of an old donor

Gandhara, Kushan Empire, 3–4 Century A.D, Clay

Posted on

Metori And Sanbuichi Water Springs

Metori Water Spring located in the southern foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains is one of the 100 Brand-Name Spring-Waters in Japan. It is a very important water source for the drinking water in the Nagasaka region, located in the town of Nagasaka, the city of Hokuto in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Metori Water Spring, Nagasaka, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 10/08/2023

It is said that the name, Sanbuichi, was given because the spring water was divided into three running waters for the six villages in the region.

Sanbuichi Water Spring, Nagasaka, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 10/08/2023

Sanbuichi Water Spring, Nagasaka, Hokuto, Yamanshi, 10/08/2023

There are more than thirty statues of goddess of Kannon in the trails between Sanbuichi Water Spring and Metori Water Spring.

Sanbuichi- and Metori-Water Spring trails, Nagasaka, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 10/08/2023

Statues of Kannon, the Deity of Mercy, Nagasaka, Hokuto, Yamanshi, 10/08/2023

There are a lot of large stones in the southern foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains. These stones were believed to be brought by large debris flows or landslides.

Sanbuichi Water Spring, Nagasaka, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 10/08/2023

Posted on

Flowering Dogwood Trees

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) trees are bearing red fruit in the ground of the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Archaeology, Yamanashi Prefecture. They are common street trees in Japan. Asahi Street in Kofu is known for its Hanamizuki (flowering dogwood) trees (refer to the article on April 30, 2022 http://ymmt.etsuo.tokyo/2022/04/). (https://www.pref.yamanashi.jp.e.aao.hp.transer.com/kouko-hak/).

Flowering dogwood, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Archaeology , Kofu, Yamanashi, 10/04/2023

Posted on

THERMAE: ANCIENT ROME, JAPAN, AND THE JOY OF BATHING

The exhibition of Thermae: Ancient Rome, Japan, and the joy of bathing has been held at the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art during September 9 through November 5, 2023. (https://www.art-museum.pref.yamanashi.jp/exhibition/, https://www.art-museum.pref.yamanashi.jp/english/)

One of the exhibits, a container for bath ointments, is shown below. The container was used to put oil and balm that were applied on the body after bath.

Container For Bath Ointments With Lid

Excavated in Pohnpei in the first century of the Christian Made of glass and bronze Owned by The National Archaeological Museum of Naples

FYI:

Oita Prefectural Art Museum (https://www.opam.jp/en/)

Ancient Rome was the most prosperous in world history. Among its culture, Public Bath Thermae interests us. Manga “Thermae Romae” by YAMAZAKI Mari got the recognition of the facility better. In this exhibition, the main character Lucius guides Ancient Rome, Japan, and the Bathing Culture. As his experience of time travel, you will get what bath would have been like at the time.

Period: November 25, 2023－January 21, 2024, Oita Prefectural Art Museum　 Tel: +81-(0)97-533-4500 (https://www.opam.jp/en/exhibitions/detail/1124)

Posted on

Autumn Scenes

Autumn is near here. Some trees and plants started flowering, changing colors and bearing fruit here in the ground of the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture.

Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum), Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 10/02/2023

Kaki Persimmon (Diospyros kaki), Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 10/02/2023

Red Pine (Pinus resinosa), Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 10/02/2023

Simon Bitter Bamboo (Pleioblastus simonii), Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 10/02/2023

Hurricane Lily (Lycoris radiata), Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 10/02/2023