春の里山

谷戸風景を上手く絵にしたい、と思うけれど、どうも難しい。少し上空から見れば、谷戸の幅が山側に向かってだんだんと狭くなる地形が描けるのだけれど、あいにくそんな風に都合よく谷戸を見下ろせる場所はなかなか見つからない。



Satoyama is often used as a key word for nature conservation in Japan. It's an environment in between wild mountains and human settlements, where people used to go in daily life. So the Satoyama environment is created by human activities, such as cutting firewood, getting materials for thatched roof and growing mushrooms. And when we consider nature conservation and environmental education today, we tend to think back the connection we had with nature through the use of Satoyama.
So I am quite often asked to illustrate Satoyama environment.  And this spring, since this is my first spring in Japan for the last few years,  I was determined to sketch the scenery and wildlife there!  



キンラン。今年はあちこちで、たくさん咲いたらしい。



ホソオビヒゲナガ
写真を見ると、オスはどこかにひっかかりそうなほど「ヒゲナガ」のようだが、残念ながらわたしが見たのは、ヒゲの短いメスだった。メタリックな光沢がきれいだ。