Blood Type and Personality in Japan 血液型と性格

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Japanese people often guess others' personalities based on their blood type. In Japan, many believe that each blood type carries specific traits:

• A: Down-to-earth and careful
• B: Independent and curious
• O: Positive and sociable
• AB: Rational but multifaceted

Hearing people talk about blood types always reminds me of a professor in the social psychology department at my university.

2022 is the Year of the Tiger🐯! - Japanese Zodiac Signs 来年は寅年だ🐯！

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These are trees made of stuffed tiger animals currently on show at the Tokyo International Forum. Every December, the facility displays trees made of stuffed animals representing the zodiac sign of the coming year. This year, it has three tiger trees because 2022 is the Year of the Tiger🐯!!

Ardisia Crenata F. Leucocarpa (White Coral Berry) 白実の万両（シロミノマンリョウ）

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These are the fruits of ardisia crenata f. leucocarpa or more commonly known as white coral berry. 

I found them bright green in early August (4th photo), and I watched them for the following four months turning from green to creamy white believing that ultimately they would turn red until a few days ago when I learned that some coral berries produce white berries!!😂😆 

Ardisia crenata f. leucocarpa on December 26　白実の万両（12月26日）

White coral berry on December 26　シロミノマンリョウ（12月26日）

Late November 11月下旬

Early August 8月上旬

(If you wish to post your comment but don't have a Google account, select "anonymous" from the drop down menu titled "comment as"!)

白実の万両（シロミノマンリョウ）です。

8月に緑の実を見つけてそれから4カ月間ずっと、いつか赤くなるんだと信じて見続けました。先日、ネットで白い実を付ける万両があるって知るまでは！😂😆

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Floats of Monkey, Cuckoo, and Minamoto at Akasaka Hikawa Shrine 赤坂氷川神社の山車（猿、閑古鳥、源頼義）

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I saw these floats at Akasaka Hikawa Jinja shrine in Tokyo. The right one is the float of a cuckoo, which represents peace, and the center is the float of a monkey, which was regarded as the messenger of God. The left one is the float of Yoriyoshi Minamoto (988 - 1075), a head of Japan's Minamoto clan. I went to the shrine this weekend for "hatsumode," i.e., the Japanese tradition of visiting a shrine or temple for the first time in the New Year, to avoid crowds, and happened to see such gorgeous floats!!😊

Many shrines and temples in Tokyo had such floats, but have lost many of them in the Great Kanto Earthquake and WW2, and due to the discontinuation of festivals. The Akasaka Hikawa shrine isn't an exception. It organized a parade of 13 floats to protect the community, but losing four, it currently has nine, including these three. (Source: Akasaka Float Preservation Society)   

I went to Kyoto (i.e., Japanese capital before Tokyo) once or twice a year before the pandemic and saw many floats in the Gion Matsuri festival, i.e., an annual event during July in Kyoto, which is one of the most famous and largest festivals in Japan using dozens of floats, but I didn't know that Tokyo also had similar events.

Floats of Akasaka Hikawa shrine; "Yoriyoshi (left)," "Monkey (center)," and "Cuckoo"
赤坂氷川神社の山車 左から「源頼義」、「猿」、「閑古鳥」

Camellia Sinensis (Tea Plant) 茶の木（アッサムチャ）

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These adorable white flowers, about 2 cm in diameter, caught my eye. They are Camellia sinensis, commonly known as the 'tea plant,' which I saw at the Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo. The tea plant belongs to the camellia genus, and I was surprised by how small a camellia flower could be.

'Tea' has always meant green tea to me because my late maternal grandmother ran a Japanese green tea shop by herself after my grandfather passed away. I often helped her package tea leaves during my summer and winter vacations. As a result, I’ve seen a wide variety of green tea leaves—from very expensive ones like gyokuro (jade dew) to standard sencha—but I had never seen the actual tea plants or their flowers before.

Because of a decrease in green tea drinking in Japan, store sales declined and her youngest daughter (i.e., my aunt) closed the business. Ironically, Grandma didn't drink (and might not have liked) green tea very much. She had coffee and cheese every morning for breakfast, and I also have café au lait and cheese every morning these days...😆

The garden, about 40 acres in Central Tokyo, was opened by the Tokugawa shogunate in the 17th century to grow medicinal herbs. In 1877, after the Meiji Restoration, it became a part of Tokyo Imperial University (i.e., currently the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science).

Camellia sinensis 茶の木

Halesia Carolina (Carolina Silverbell) 亜米利加麻殻（アメリカアサガラ）

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The four-winged brown things hanging on trees first caught my eye. These are the fruits (or seed pods) of Halesia carolina or more commonly known as Carolina silverbell or little silverbell at the Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo.

You may be wondering why they are called "silverbell," but you should understand if you see the flowers. Carolina silverbell flowers, which bloom from April to June in Japan, are white and bell shaped, looking like silver bells!! 

So, of course, I need to come to the garden again next year to see the pretty bells, but these brown fruits, which were almost dying, made me feel content in solitude.

The garden, about 40 acres in Central Tokyo, was opened by the Tokugawa shogunate in the 17th century to grow medicinal herbs. In 1877, after the Meiji Restoration, it became a part of Tokyo Imperial University and currently the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science. The admission fee is JPY500 (i.e., about USD4.5) for adults.

Halesia Carolina 亜米利加麻殻

Carolina silverbell アメリカアサガラ

Diospyros Rhombifolia (Princess Persimmon) 老鴉柿（ロウヤガキ）

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These are the fruits of diospyros rhombifolia or commonly known as princess persimmon at the Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo. A few days ago, I wrote about diospyros cathayensis Steward (cathay persimmon). Both trees were side by side and the fruits resemble each other, so without the plant labels, I would have thought they were the same tiny persimmons. But there's an obvious difference between the two, which I couldn't see at that time. Princess persimmon is deciduous while cathay persimmon is evergreen. (Take a look at the second picture!)

The garden, about 40 acres in Central Tokyo, was opened by the Tokugawa shogunate in the 17th century to grow medicinal herbs. In 1877, after the Meiji Restoration, it became a part of Tokyo Imperial University and currently the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science. The admission fee is JPY500 (i.e., about USD4.5) for adults.

Diospyros rhombifolia 老鴉柿（ロウヤガキ）

Japanese Maple Autumn Leaves 楓の紅葉（カエデ）

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These are Japanese maple leaves at the Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo. As the fall foliage season was almost over, I thought autumn leaves had mostly fallen. So, it was a happy surprise to see many trees still showing such beautiful yellow, orange and red leaves against the blue sky! The trees at the garden are all large, so I was able to take many pictures of these leaves from below (first 3 photos).

The Koishikawa Botanical Garden, a garden about 40 acres in Central Tokyo, was opened by the Tokugawa shogunate in the 17th century to grow medicinal herbs. In 1877, after the Meiji Restoration, it became a part of Tokyo Imperial University and currently the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science. The admission fee is JPY500 (i.e., about USD4.5) for adults.

From below

From below

From below

Diospyros Cathayensis Steward (Cathay Persimmon) 四川常盤柿（シセントキワガキ）

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These are the fruits of diospyros cathayensis Steward at the Koishikawa Botanical Garden. 

I first thought they were kumquats but when getting closer, I found they weren't. They're a little smaller than ping pong balls, i.e., almost the same size as kumquats, but the color and skin texture are different. Then, I realized that they were persimmons! They're "mini," but, according to information on the internet, edible and sweet😊.  

The Koishikawa Botanical Garden, a garden about 40 acres in Central Tokyo, was opened by the Tokugawa shogunate in the 17th century to grow medicinal herbs. In 1877, after the Meiji Restoration, it became a part of Tokyo Imperial University and currently the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science. The admission fee is JPY500 (i.e., about USD4.5) for adults. 

Diospyros cathayensis steward 2 cm in diameter 直径2センチぐらいの四川常盤柿

They're edible! 食べられますよ！

Humulus Lupulus (Common Hop) 西洋唐花草（ホップ）

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These are the flowers of humulus lupulus or more commonly known as (common) hop. The shape is unique and the pale green color is so beautiful! I first thought they were the flowers of carpinus japonica (i.e., Japanese hornbeam), i.e., the flowers I saw in May which are very similar to hop's, but the flower size and shape (though slightly) as well as the leaf shape are different. After googling, I've concluded that they're hop!

Needless to say, the female fruits from hop are used to preserve and flavor beer, but to tell you the truth, I haven't drunk beer for many years because beer is too bitter for me😂! I hope someday I'll be mature enough to appreciate the taste of beer...😅

Common hop ホップ

Humulus lupulus 西洋唐花草

Fall Foliage - Acer Palmatum (Japanese Maple) 紅葉（モミジ）

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These are the leaves of acer palmatum or commonly known as Japanese maple. Their brilliant red color is breathtaking. And needless to say, I love these beautiful fall leaves, but I love them more when looking at them from below because from below, they're translucent reddish orange against the blue sky.  

Late November to early December is the peak of fall foliage in Japan, and after that, winter will kick in. People are busy toward the end of the year, being excited about several upcoming events, i.e., celebrating Christmas with family and friends, which is a Christian event, listening with family to the sound of bells rung in Buddhist temples 108 times on New Year's Eve, i.e., a Buddhist event, and visiting a temple or shrine at New Year, i.e., a Buddhist/Shinto event. 

Whether or not this is diverse and inclusive, or unprincipled or atheistic, it's up to you, but please don't blame me who have already started to prepare for these events by buying wine, sake, stollen, roasted chicken, and many ingredients to make osechi, i.e., traditional Japanese New Year's food!  

 

Acer palmatum leaves are brilliantly red!! 真っ赤な紅葉！

Japanese maple leaves from below 下から

Hibiscus Hamabo 浜朴（ハマボウ）

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This is hibiscus hamabo. Its heart-shaped green, yellow, orange, red, and purple leaves are so beautiful!

Hibiscus hamabo is cold and salt tolerant, but despite its hardy nature, it entertains people with the lemon yellow flowers with a dark red center in July and August while in autumn with such colorful autumn leaves.  

Hibiscus hamabo is seen along the coast and rivers across Japan, but the plant has been losing the habitat because of improvements to watercourses. Dozens of prefectures have designated the yellow hibiscus as an endangered species. 

Hibiscus hamabo 浜朴

Hibiscus hamabo ハマボウ

Nandina Domestica Alba (Nandina With Cream Yellow Berries) 白実南天（シロミナンテン）

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These're the berries of nandina domestica alba. Nandina domestica usually produces bright red berries, but these small cream yellow berries are as pretty as the red ones, though in a different way. 

Interestingly, although these berries are cream yellow, the term "alba" means" white," and this is also true in Japan where the shrub is called shiromi nanten, meaning "white berry nandina." There're many nandina domestica shrubs with red berries, but in my neighborhood, this is the only shrub with cream yellow berries I've found so far.  

 Nandina domestica alba 黄南天

Sacred bamboo with cream yellow berries シロミナンテン

Pink Camellia Sasanqua ピンクの山茶花

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Scattered bright pink camellia sasanqua flowers on the ground first caught my eye. Then, a horsefly so absorbed in having breakfast on a flower made me smile. It's the blooming season of camellia sasanqua (not camellia japonica!), but a sasanqua tree with so many flowers on not only the tree but the ground is rare.   

Camellia sasanqua and a horsefly 山茶花とアブ

Osmanthus Heterophyllus (Holly Olive) at Former Yasuda Garden 旧安田庭園の柊（ヒイラギ）

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These are the flowers of osmanthus heterophyllus or more commonly known as holly olive at former Yasuda Garden in Tokyo. I saw holly olive trees with spiny bright green leaves at the garden of the Parliamentary Museum two weeks ago, but they had no flowers. 

The Yasuda Garden is believed to have been built from 1688 to 1703 by Munesuke Honjo, an uncle of the fifth Tokugawa Shogun Tsunayoshi, then bought in 1900 by Zenjiro Yasuda or the founder of the Yasuda zaibatsu, one of the four major business conglomerates of Imperial Japan owned and managed by the Yasuda clan. All the Japanese conglomerates were dissolved at the end of World War II, but they have survived through to the present day nominally or otherwise. The three megabanks in Japan, i.e., MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Mizuho Bank, have their roots in zaibatsu conglomerates, that is, Mitsubishi, Mitsui and Sumitomo, and Yasuda, respectively.

Osmanthus heterophyllus 柊

Ilex Crenata (Japanese Holly) 犬黄楊（イヌツゲ）

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These are the berries of ilex crenata or more commonly known as the Japanese holly or box-leaved holly at the garden of the Parliamentary Museum in Tokyo. Red berries can be seen in many places, but not such black ones.

The berries of Japanese holly and those of buxus microphylla (or the Japanese box or littleleaf box) look very similar, but they're different in how leaves are formed. Japanese holly is alternate-leaved as opposed to Japanese box being opposite-leaved. As the leaves in these photos have an alternate arrangement, they're Japanese holly. I needed to go to the museum twice to find out which one the tree was😂.    

11/6 Japanese holly berries 犬黄楊の実

Tokyo Skytree & Yakatabune Boat 東京夜景

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These are the views I saw from the Tsukuda Ohashi Bridge in Tokyo on November 6. I was on my way back home from one of my favorite restaurants in Central Tokyo. The restaurant offers soba, i.e., Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour, and it had been a year since I had last gone there.

On September 30, Tokyo lifted the state of emergency and has seen a decrease in Covid-19 cases since then, and that's why I decided to go to that restaurant for the first time in the last year. The dinner was delicious and the Sumidagawa River (1st photo), Tokyo Skytree and the Chuo Ohashi Bridge (both 2nd photo) were all beautiful but I couldn't help but feel sad because I saw only one yakatabune boat (1st photo). The boat cruise was popular before the pandemic with many boats travelling upward and downward on the river, but the business has been severely hit since January 2020 when Covid-19 clusters were found among cruise passengers.

Japan has very few Covid-19 cases these days. Some say that that's because over 70% of people have been fully vaccinated and/or people wear face masks, or even mention the possibility of "apoptosis (i.e., a form of programmed death)" in coronavirus-infected cells. Vaccination and masks should contribute to decreasing coronavirus patients, but being too optimistic, i.e., believing in the programmed cell death despite still rising infections outside of Japan, is very stupid and dangerous.

A yakatabune boat on Sumidagawa River from Tsukuda Ohashi Bridge
隅田川を行く屋形船（佃大橋から）

Chuo Ohashi Bridge and Tokyo Skytree side by side 中央大橋とスカイツリー

Osmanthus Heterophyllus (Holly Olive) 柊（ヒイラギ）

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The bright green spiny leaves caught my eye. These are the leaves of osmanthus heterophyllus or more commonly known as holly olive and false holly at the Parliamentary Museum. At least two pentatomidae or more commonly stink bugs were bathing in the sun on the leaves.

Holly olive is a shrub known in Japan to expel evil spirits. People in some areas, e.g., Kyoto, hang the head of a sardine impaled on a holly olive twig on the front door on the setsubun day, i.e., the day before the beginning of spring in the old calendar in Japan, generally on around February 3. 

When I went to the museum on October 30, the shrub had no flowers, but the holly olive is in the osmanthus genus, so the flowers are fragrant. I need to go there again to smell them!!   

The Parliamentary Museum is in Central Tokyo, close to the Imperial Palace and the National Diet Building, and among other things free admission. Definitely, one of the must places to drop by if/when you come to Japan. 

Osmanthus heterophyllus leaves are spiny 柊の葉は尖ってる

A stink bug on a holly olive leaf 柊の葉の上のカメムシ

Spray Chrysanthemums (Spray Mums) & Imperial System スプレーマム（スプレー菊）と皇室制度

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Almost all flowers are gone but these bright yellow ones. They're spray chrysanthemums or more commonly known as spray mums. 

Chrysanthemums are the symbol of Japanese imperial family, and as some of you may know, the former Princess Mako married her college sweetheart Kei Komuro last week despite challenges, such as her parents' (i.e., Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko)'s opposition and the criticism about Komuro's handling of his mother's financial problem. I found their marriage interesting because it's exposed a couple of issues for the family; can or do the members of the imperial family have human rights; and should Japan keep maintaining the imperial system? 

The first question is relatively easy to answer. The imperial family members can and do have such rights. They're human beings and the fact that Mako was born into the imperial family should have nothing to do with her right to marry someone she loves and any other human rights. The thing is, however, that some Japanese are unaware that obstructing their marriage is a human right violation. Even some say that Mako has no right to marry freely because she's a member of the imperial family, and her dependence on taxpayers' money obligates her to seek some kind of approval or support from the public for her marriage.  

And that's what makes the second question far more important. If Japanese people (not all but many) believe that way, what is Japan going to do? Is the country going to maintain the imperial system, which deprives the family members of the right to live the lives they choose?

Japan has started discussing again how the imperial system should be, e.g., whether to allow women to succeed to the throne or expand the family to include the former imperial branches, but that's not the point. Japan now should discuss whether to keep this inhumane system. And my proposal is to abolish the imperial system not now, but after the members have disappeared through attrition.

Chrysanthemums are native to East Asia, but have been cultivated in the U.S. to produce multiple flowers on a stem, then coming back to Japan as spray mums. Things change, and the imperial system is just one such thing.       

Spray chrysanthemums スプレーマム

Hasty Camellia Sasanqua せっかちな山茶花

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The camellia season has begun! This is the first camellia sasanqua flower I saw this morning and was the only flower in bloom surrounded by many buds and seeds. If it were late November, I'd write about its beautiful pale pink color, but because now it's still October, I couldn't help but smile about its hastiness, which is also a characteristic of mine😆 

10/29 Camellia sasanqua 山茶花

Eriocapitella Hupehensis (Japanese Anemone) 秋明菊（シュウメイギク）

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These are eriocapitella hupehensis or more commonly known as Japanese anemone. The yellow/green flower centers surrounded by the white petals emerged from the darkness before dawn. 

On workdays I get up at around 4:30 a.m. This was good in summer but now is too early for a morning walk and photographing. The sunrise time in Tokyo is currently at around 5:50 a.m. 

Originally the flower was pink and the white one is a crossbreed. Japanese anemone signifies patience, decrease of love, slight (romantic) feelings, and being sensitive. 

Eriocapitella hupehensis 秋明菊

Camellia Japonica/Sasanqua Seeds Look Like Chocolates😋 椿と山茶花の種はチョコみたい😋

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These are camellia japonica and camellia sasanqua seeds. In August, I enjoyed glossy red camellia japonica fruits and hairy camellia sasanqua fruits, and at that time I didn't expect these fruits to crack, showing such beautiful seeds like dark chocolate (i.e., camellia JAPONICA) and macadamia nut chocolate (camellia SASANQUA)😋!  

Camellia seeds can produce oil (i.e., tea seed oil) used for skin and hair in Japan. The oil has been used for so long that The Shoku Nihongi, i.e., an imperially-commissioned Japanese history text, says that Japan gave the oil to an ambassador from Balhae, a multi-ethnic kingdom in Manchuria, the Korean Peninsula and the Russian Far East, in 777. Wow!

Camellia japonica and sasanqua are both the prefectural/city/town flower of many prefectures and municipalities in Japan, and camellia japonica is surprisingly the Alabama state flower😲

Camellia JAPONICA seed looks like dark chocolate 椿の種はダークチョコ

Camellia SASANQUA seed is like macadamia nut chocolate 山茶花の種はマカダミアチョコ？

Polyporaceae 猿の腰掛（サルノコシカケ）

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This looks like a pancake, but it's not. This is polyporaceae on a cherry tree, a mushroom called "a stool for monkeys🐒" in Japan.  

I read about birch polypore on @zaungruen's Instagram post several days ago, in which Zaungruen said that he/she has birch polypore tea for colds. As a person taking Chinese herbal medicine to deal with dyspepsia (which is very effective for me), I'm very interested in polyporaceae's efficacy, and learned that in Japan, the mushroom is said to lower blood pressure and boost the immune system, while it's also said to decay and even kill trees by absorbing nutrients from them! A person can be good and bad at the same time. A mushroom can also be good and bad at the same time.          

Polyporaceae 猿の腰掛

Netsuke in Shape of Jurojin and Ofuku 寿老阿福牙彫根付

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Were they married? Did they have a child? 

This 3 cm tall sculpture is a 'netsuke depicting the Lucky Gods Jurojin and Ofuku', which is on display at the Tokyo National Museum. Carved from ivory by Chounsai Hidechika, the figures look just like a happy family—even though I've never heard of them being married.

The label reads, "Lucky Gods Jurojin and Ofuku," but Ofuku is not actually a deity. Also known as Okame, Ofuku is a woman with a round face and a short nose. As her name suggests (fuku means "fortune" or "happiness"), she represents good luck. Interestingly, she was considered the epitome of a beautiful woman before societal standards shifted, transforming her into a symbol of an unattractive woman.

In contrast, Jurojin is one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese Buddhist mythology. Based on a real historical figure, he is the god of the elderly and longevity. He is traditionally depicted as being about six feet tall with an elongated head and a long white beard.

I couldn't find any information about their marriage or whether they had a child, but I'm pretty sure they would have been the happiest couple and their child would have been so lucky!

If you're interested in the Seven Lucky Gods, check out this post! You can also read this post to see other netsuke.

Netsuke in shape of Jurojin and Ofuku 寿老阿福牙彫根付

Tricyrtis - Crossbreed of Japanese and Taiwanese Ones? 杜鵑草 - 日本と台湾のハーフ？

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Are they Japanese or Taiwanese? That is the question. My answer is that they're a hybrid of Tricyrtis hirta (commonly known as Japanese toad lilies) and Tricyrtis formosana (Taiwanese toad lilies).

Netsuke in Shape of a Noh Performer with a Hannya Mask 般若牙彫根付

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How many will I kill tonight? Three or four?" He looks like he is saying this, doesn't he? This 3-centimeter-tall sculpture is a netsuke of a Noh performer wearing a Hannya mask, currently on display at the Tokyo National Museum. It is carved from ivory.

The hannya mask, used in both Noh plays and Shinto dances, portrays the souls of women transformed into demons by obsession and jealousy. In one of the most famous Noh plays featuring the mask, Aoi no Ue (Lady Aoi), Genji’s wife—Lady Aoi—is attacked and possessed by the wandering, jealous spirit of his mistress, Lady Rokujō.

The Noh actor playing the mistress wears the Hannya mask to express her intense jealousy. So, the figure in these photos isn't a man, but rather the mistress on her way to kill her lover's wife😱.

Interestingly, however, 'hannya' (or 'prajñā' in Sanskrit) is a Buddhist term that simply means wisdom and bears no connection to jealousy. I searched for why the Noh mask shares its name with this Buddhist concept, but I couldn't find a satisfying explanation.

If you love netsuke, read this post to see dozens of them!

Netsuke in shape of a noh performer with a hannya mask 般若牙彫根付

Netsuke in Shape of a Heart-Polishing Figure 心磨牙彫根付

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

What do you think they're doing? Are they wiping the floor with a cloth? NOOOO! They're polishing their HEARTS! This is a 3 cm tall sculpture, or "netsuke in the shape of a heart-polishing figure," on display at the Tokyo National Museum. It's carved from ivory by Tomochika. 

Netsuke in Shape of Lucky God Daikoku 大黒牙彫根付

英語の後に日本語が続きます。
This 3 cm sculpture is a netsuke in the shape of the Lucky God Daikoku on display at the Tokyo National Museum. It's carved from ivory by an artist whose name I can't read, though the signature implies he carved it at 73 years old. It is amazing how someone with a lifetime of practice can create something this cute and joyful! I love his smile and his little dance.

The lucky god Daikoku, or Daikokuten, is the god of commerce and prosperity, the patron of cooks, farmers, and bankers, and the protector of crops. He's also a demon hunter and one of the Seven Lucky Gods—which, interestingly, include deities from Japan, China, and India. (Daikokuten himself is Indian!) At least, back when the Seven Lucky Gods were a regular part of daily faith, Japan was pretty diverse! 😇 (Check out this post to learn about the Seven Lucky Gods!)

A netsuke is a small carved ornament, typically made of ivory or wood, worn with traditional Japanese dress as a toggle to attach an item to a kimono sash (Source: Lexico). If you love netsuke, check out this list of over 40 pieces!

Netsuke in shape of Lucky God Daikoku 大黒牙彫根付

Netsuke in Shape of Exorcism 追儺牙彫根付

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Have you ever seen a Japanese exorcism? If not, take a look at this 3 cm tall sculpture. This is a Netsuke depicting an exorcism, currently on display at the Tokyo National Museum. It was carved from ivory by Ikkosai.

Japan used to perform exorcisms in the imperial household on New Year's Eve, as well as in other locations during Setsubun—the day before the beginning of spring in the traditional calendar. While the imperial household ritual is no longer practiced, the tradition lives on through mamemaki (soybean throwing) on Setsubun. During this ritual, people throw roasted soybeans out the front door or at a family member wearing an oni (demon) mask while chanting, "Devils out! Fortune in!"

So, these are expelled demons or ogres, but they're so cute! To me, they look like kids scared of their moms catching them eating snacks before dinner, or men scared to death of their wives catching them cheating. 😂 Oh, so they're all frightened of mothers and wives—basically, women! 🤣

A netsuke is a small carved ornament, especially of ivory or wood, worn as part of Japanese traditional dress as a toggle by which an article may be attached to the sash of a kimono (Source: Lexico). If you love netsuke, check out this list of more than 40 items!

 

 Netsuke in shape of exorcism, ivory 追儺牙彫根付

Amphicarpaea (Hogpeanut) 藪豆（ヤブマメ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is amphicarpaea or more commonly known as hogpeanut. The white and purple flowers among the green leaves are so refreshing. The plant grows across Japan, but I didn't know about the plant or notice the flowers until today. The hedge had a grass cut yesterday (see the last photo), and that must have exposed these tiny flowers hiding among or under other plants. I'm happy to be able to see them but they may be saying "Leave us alone!!"  

Amphicarpaea 藪豆

Hogpeanut ヤブマメ

Netsuke "Yagyo-san (Ogre)" 根付「夜行さん」

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This 3 cm tall boxwood netsuke, titled 'Yagyo-san,' is currently on display at the Tokyo National Museum. It was crafted by Yoji Yamada using boxwood, tagua nut, and coral.

Yagyō-san is a demon (or ogre) in Japanese folklore. He wanders at night on the back of a headless horse during specific times of the year—such as New Year's Eve and the day before spring begins in the traditional Japanese calendar—and throws anyone who happens to see him. But to me, he just looks like a primitive man with a long beard! And he's so cute!

A netsuke is a small carved ornament, especially of ivory or wood, worn as part of Japanese traditional dress as a toggle by which an article may be attached to the sash of a kimono (Source: Lexico). If you love netsuke, check out this list featuring dozens of items!

Netsuke "Yagyo-san" by Yoji Yamada 「夜行さん」山田洋治

Oxalis Crassipes Alba (White Wood Sorrel) 白い酢漿草（カタバミ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

They're oxalis crassipes alba or more commonly known as white wood sorrel blooming at the garden of the Kujokan teahouse in Tokyo National Museum. The white color against the green leaves is so beautiful. 

I visit the museum several times a year, but these days I go there to see netsuke on show indoors and plants and bugs in the garden rather than paintings and artefacts. Sadly for the museum, but luckily for visitors, the museum is quiet and relaxing with few people. If you have a chance to come to Tokyo after the pandemic, you should definitely go there. After enjoying art, you can also enjoy nice Japanese food and sake in Yanaka Ginza district!    

Oxalis crassipes alba 白い酢漿草

Kujokan teachouse in Tokyo National Museum 東京国立博物館の九条館

Netsuke "Humpty Dumpty" 根付「ハンプティ・ダンプティ」

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This 3 cm long porcelain is netsuke, titled "Humpty Dumpty" on display at the Tokyo National Museum. It was crafted by Lynn Richardson.

I didn't understand why this Humpty Dumpty netsuke was broken into three parts until I read the nursery rhyme below. I knew about Humpty Dumpty, but I thought Lewis Carroll created the character for Through the Looking-Glass.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again.

We don’t truly understand the real meaning of something without its background information. That’s why I enjoy writing for this blog—it pushes me to research everything from Humpty Dumpty to flowers and bugs, deepening my understanding of the world around me.

 

A netsuke is a small carved ornament, especially of ivory or wood, worn as part of Japanese traditional dress as a toggle by which an article may be attached to the sash of a kimono (Source: Lexico). If you love netsuke, check out this list to see dozens of items!

Netsuke "Humpty Dumpty" 根付「ハンプティ・ダンプティ」

Lespedeza Japonica Bailey cv. Versicolor (Variegated Bush Clover) 染め分け萩（ソメワケハギ）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is lespedeza japonica Bailey cv. Versicolor or variegated bush clover at Tokyo National Museum. I've seen bush clovers with pink flowers, and I knew bush clovers have white flowers. I also knew that a peach and a Japanese apricot tree have red and white flowers on the same tree. But I didn't know that bush clovers can also have pink and white flowers on the same tree!!

It was my first visit to the museum for the last six months. I hadn't gone out for nearly half a year except for an early morning walk until yesterday, hoping that the Covid-19 situation would be better this autumn, but obviously it's not. Covid-19 positive cases in Japan/Tokyo "officially" have decreased, but severe cases are still more than the peak of the fourth wave. The reason is that the number of "known" cases may have decreased, but total cases including hidden ones must've increased, resulting in the increased severe cases and the collapse of the medical system in Tokyo and other areas. 

Japan is planning to lift the state of emergency on October 1 because of the "apparent" decrease in positive cases, but this means people, whether vaccinated or not, will start going out to enjoy eating and drinking. That's why I went to the museum before that happens. And sadly, I won't likely be able to go out for a while or don't know when I'll be able to visit the museum next time.      

Lespedeza japonica Bailey cv. Versicolor 染め分け萩

   

Variegated bush clover ソメワケハギ

A Baby Conifer Cone 赤ちゃん松かさ

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

I wrote about green female conifer cones in August, and I thought at that time I learned everything about the cones, but I was wrong. Now I've learned that the pine tree produces male and female flowers (or strobili) and that the female flowers turn cones like the green ones I saw in August (or in the 3rd photo). In other words, all pine cones are female!   

So, you're looking at the growing process of pine cones from a newborn baby girl cone (1st photo), to cones like toddlers (2nd photo), then green young cones (3rd photo)!      

A newborn baby girl flower (or strobilus) 生まれたての雌花

Kudzu (Japanese Arrowroot) 葛（クズ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

The plant had many large vibrant green leaves, which made me wonder what it was. Then, it suddenly produced pink flowers, which surprised me, but what surprised me more was that it was kudzu or more commonly known as Japanese arrowroot.

I was surprised😲 because I didn't expect kudzu to be growing in my neighborhood in Tokyo. Kudzu is an ingredient of kudzu powder, the main ingredient of "kudzu mochi dumplings," a jelly-like local sweet in Yoshino, a southern part of the Nara prefecture! Kudzu mochi are so yummy and my favorite sweet😋

There is, however, a sad surprise, too. Kudzu is called "the vine that ate the South," designated as an invasive species in the US😂

By the way, in Japan, "kudzu" or "葛" in Chinese character* is pronounced the same as the following terms:

• くず (hiragana character), meaning waste, trash and bastard
• クズ (katakana character), meaning waste, trash and bastard
• 屑 (Chinese character*), meaning waste, trash and bastard

As a great fan of "kudzu mochi" dumplings, I feel sad that "kudzu" can mean "waste and trash, bastard"!😂

* The Japanese language uses three characters: hiragana character, katakana character and Chinese character.

Kudzu 葛