Pink Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Debilis) ムラサキカタバミ（紫酢漿草）

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Pink wood sorrel (Oxalis debilis) is native to South America. It was brought to Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868) for aesthetic appeal, but it has run wild and can now be found all across Japan.

There are two main types of pink wood sorrel: Oxalis debilis and Oxalis articulata. Both are pink, though Oxalis debilis (the one in this post) is a bit more bluish and paler. For a more detailed look at the differences between the two, check out my post about Oxalis articulata!

11/3/2026

Kurogane Holly (Ilex Rotunda) 黒鉄黐（クロガネモチ）

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Kurogane holly trees (Ilex rotunda) are native to East Asia and can be found across Japan. They're known for clusters of berries that start out green, then turn orange and bright red in autumn. Don't forget their small white flowers in early summer, either—the pink parts protruding from the petals are stamens.

11/3/2026

Common Grass Yellow (Eurema Hecabe) キチョウ（黄蝶）

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I’m diurnal just like butterflies, but I rarely see them during my morning walks on workdays. Instead, around 9 a.m. on weekends, I often spot several species—like the pale grass blue, Asian comma (Polygonia c-aureum), and this one: the Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe)!!

The Common Grass Yellow is a small pierid butterfly species found in Asia, Africa, Australia, and all across Japan. Because of their bright color, they are called kicho (yellow butterfly) in Japan.

One problem is that they often rest on yellow flowers, like the leopard plant. Their beautiful yellow wings blend right in.

11/3/2026

Mask of a Drunken Persian King's Servant 伎楽面（酔胡従）

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This is a mask of a drunken Persian king's servant, a 7th- or 8th-century Buddhist ritual mask. It used to belong to Hōryūji Temple, but it is now housed at the Tokyo National Museum. How did this mask move from the temple in Nara Prefecture to Tokyo?

Its former owner, Horyuji Temple, had to sell more than 300 masks and statues—including this one—in 1878 for only 10,000 yen at the time (equivalent to about 400 million yen or 4 million dollars today) to survive the haibutsu kishaku, a movement to abolish Buddhist temples and statues. This movement was triggered by the Meiji government's 1868 decision to separate Shinto from Buddhism and establish it as the state religion, aiming to modernize Japan and make it as strong as Western imperialist powers. Many, though not all, Buddhist temples across Japan were destroyed, forcing them to sell off their sacred statues and masks. Kofukuji Temple, one of the oldest and most revered temples in Nara Prefecture, even tried to sell its five-storied pagoda for a mere 25 yen—which would be worth about 1 million yen or 10,000 dollars today. Therefore, without the rise of imperialism in Japan, this mask would likely still be housed in Horyuji Temple.

Mask of drunken Persian king's servant 伎楽面（酔胡従）

Encounter of Hindu Ganesh & Buddhism Mask in Japan ガネーシャと酔胡従の出会い

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This is a seated Ganesh statue housed at the Tokyo National Museum. Ganesh is the son of the Hindu god Shiva, and his pot belly represents wealth and abundance. Even though he is a deity, his large belly contradicts the typical image of a god. Since this statue originated in Cambodia, how did it end up in a museum in Tokyo?

According to the exhibition label, the Cambodian Ganesh came from the École française d'Extrême-Orient in exchange for another work of art or artifact. So, it must have first been stolen by France, then passed into the hands of this French school before ending up in Japan. A legacy of colonialism and imperialism, isn't it?

Without imperialism, the Cambodian deity would still be in its home country.

Seated Ganesh ガネーシャ座像

Rich Daisy Poor Daisy デイジーの貧富の差

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Daisies are very common in Japan and incredibly diverse, not just in color but also in the environments where they grow. The daisies in the first and second photos are planted in pots; they're well taken care of, so naturally, they look neat and pretty. In contrast, the daisies in the third and fourth photos—Philadelphia fleabane—were growing on the roadside. Their flower heads looked a little unkempt, which is fitting, since the Philadelphia fleabane is known as the 'poverty plant' in some areas of Japan. There's even a superstition that picking them will bring you poverty."

Planted pink daisies 鉢植えのピンク雛菊

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia Leucantha) アメジストセージ

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Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha) is native to subtropical and tropical conifer forests in central and eastern Mexico. It's said to have been brought to Japan in the Meiji period (1868-1912) for ornamental purposes. It's known as amethyst sage in Japan because of its deep, amethyst-colored calyces.

11/1/2026

Creeping Woodsorrel (Oxalis Corniculata) 酢漿草（カタバミ）

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Creeping woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata) can be found across the globe, including Japan. The plant produces yellow flowers from April to October, bearing fruit at roughly the same time. The bright yellow flower is just 1 cm in diameter—so tiny that it often goes unnoticed. The leaves and stems are edible, though they taste sour, as suggested by its common name, 'sour grass,' and its botanical name, Oxalis.

Despite its unassuming presence, the plant is used as a family crest in Japan. Because of its incredible vitality and hardiness, it serves as a symbol of life force.

11/1/2026

Anise-Scented Sage (Salvia Guaranitica) ガラニチカ

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Arghhhhhhhhhh! Om nom nom..." I ran towards the sounds and found them: a purple flower devouring a common straight swift butterfly (1st photo) and shouting (3rd)!

These are anise-scented sage or hummingbird sage flowers (Salvia guaranitica). Their color is so beautiful, but the flowers look to me like reptiles opening their mouths. Hummingbird sage is native to South America and is said to have been brought to Japan for ornamental purposes in the late 19th century. Now, they have grown wild and out of control, even in Central Tokyo.

2022/9/24

Two Netsuke "Zhong Kui" 鐘馗の根付２つ

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These 3 cm netsuke both feature the demon queller Zhong Kui. One was carved from ivory by Jugyoku in the 19th century, while the other was crafted from wood by Ryukei, also in the 19th century. Both are housed at the Tokyo National Museum.

Zhong Kui is a deity in Chinese mythology (also known in Japan as Shōki) who vanquishes ghosts and evil beings and reputedly commands 80,000 demons. In modern Japan, he is mainly known as 'Shoki-san'—a small sculpture placed on the roof of old wooden houses in Kyoto and Nara (known as machiya) to ward off evil spirits.

If you love netsuke, check out A List of Netsuke to see more than 40 pieces!

 

Netsuke in shape of demon queller Zhong Kui with a demon by Jugyoku (ivory)
鬼鐘馗牙彫根付（寿玉）

Bumblebee マルハナバチ（丸花蜂）

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Bumble bees are found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere—across North America, Europe, and Asia—as well as parts of South America. Around sixteen species are known to exist in Japan.

In Japan they're called 'maruhana bachi,' which translates to 'round (or chubby) flower bee.' They're also called 'flying stuffed animals'—both make perfect sense to me.

11/1/2026