Last chance!

© Appleone

Mashûko

Mashûko - or Lake Mashu if you prefer - is a deep (140 m) caldera lake, with some of the clearest water in the world. What most of the guide books fail to mention is that this beautiful view is rather rare; when I went there, we saw nothing but thick cloud, above, below, and all around.

The wild orange lilies in the foreground are a common feature of the Japanese summer landscape.

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Code: A10297 (1000-297 on box)
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© Mizuno Katsuhiko

Myôman-ji (Mizuno)

An elegant bridge in the approach to the main gate crosses an azalea-fringed pond. Although founded in the ancient Muromachi period (roughly 1400s), this temple moved to its current site as recently as 1966. Whereas in Europe much fuss is made over castles and similar monuments being the original pile of stones, the famous wooden buildings of Japan have normally been rebuilt at regular intervals.

What does the name mean?

mystery

full

temple

Born in Kyoto in 1941, Mizuno Katsuhiko earned a degree in literature from Doshisha University in 1964. Since 1969 he has worked as a freelance photographer, in a lifelong quest to capture the essence of Japanese tradition in his native city, and resulting in publication of some one hundred books of his photographs.

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Code: A10335 (1000-335 on box)
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© Mizuno Katsuhiko

Ryôan-ji (Mizuno)

Autumn leaves form a canopy over the paved approach to Ryôanji, the temple founded in 1450 which is the home of the famous raked pebble garden.

What does the name mean?

dragon

repose

temple

Born in Kyoto in 1941, Mizuno Katsuhiko earned a degree in literature from Doshisha University in 1964. Since 1969 he has worked as a freelance photographer, in a lifelong quest to capture the essence of Japanese tradition in his native city, and resulting in publication of some one hundred books of his photographs.

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An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: A10349 (1000-349 on box)
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© Epoch

Enryakuji - Shiga

Although strictly in Shiga prefecture, this temple is part of the sacred mountain site of Hiei-san, on the Eastern outskirts of Kyoto. In this simple but peaceful scene, the temple building, with its bronze and stone lanterns, stands among the giant cryptomeria trees.

Background history: Wikipedia article

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© Epoch

Fuji sunflowers

From the foreground of sunflowers, Mt Fuji is seen across Kawaguchi lake, in this view from the north.

As Mount Olympus was the home of the Greek gods, so Mt. Fuji (3776 metres above sea level) has its place as the symbol of Japan. Although most popular tourist pictures show the view from the south, with the bullet train passing below Mount Fuji, the best views are from the north and east sides.

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Code: E10635 (10-635 on box)
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© Epoch

Jissou-in pebble garden

One of the temples of Kyoto, Jissô-in was founded in 1299. Though less well known than the famous pebble garden at Ryôan-ji, its "dry" garden is perhaps easier to understand - the central stone is a carving of Buddha, and the surrounding eight rocks represent the eight disciples listening to their leader's teachings. All this set off by the gorgeous red maples.

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© Kuroiwa Toyotaka

Shiawase Jizo (Kuroiwa)

Six stone figures of Jizô, the Buddhist Patron of children and travellers, adopt their various poses under an enormous spreading cherry tree, decorated with a haiku which reads (in my rough translation):

As we are
That's all right then
Everything OK

The artist was born in Nagano in 1947, and specialises in Buddhist themes, with a distinctive whimsically warm style. (Kuroiwa is his family name - he signs his pictures with a stylised seal of his given name, Toyotaka.)

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Code: E11043 (11-043 on box)
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© Azuma Seikan

Paean to perfection (Seikan)

A very jolly rendering of all things auspicious...

1. Fujin, Raijin, the gods of wind and lightning
2. The pine - bamboo - plum triad
3. Deer (there's a play on words here, somewhere)
4. The crane and turtle pair
5. Horai, the Isle of Eternal Youth (?)
6. The Phoenix
7. Treasure, both seen and unseen
8. The seven gods of fortune
9. Nine horses
10. One Fuji, two hawks, three aubergines (eggplants) - said to be the best possible New Year dream

This is another interpretation of the tradional jûzen (ten goodnesses), and despite some mystical counting (I can only see one hawk), a wonderful collection!

Born in 1936, in Saitama (north of Tokyo), the artist Azuma Seikan studied illustration in Japan, and later graphic design in the US; he has had a varied career, including awards for kimono design, and in 1986 also being honoured to create a scroll painting given by then Prime Minister Nakasone to Princess Diana.

He signs his work traditionally, with the characters of his given name and a seal of his full name.

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An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30")
Code: E11065 (11-065 on box)
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© Epoch

Angkor Wat

This is the largest in the complex of temples at Angkor in Cambodia. From here a powerful family of kings ruled much of south-east Asia, from around the year 900 to 1432. The city was then abandoned, and more or less lost to the jungle, until rediscovered by a French explorer, Henri Mouhot, in 1860.

(From the Epoch "World Heritage" series)

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Code: E11103 (11-103 on box)
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© Mori Seikaku

Year of the boar (Seikaku)

A family of wild boar grouped contentedly, and surrounded by all the usual symbols of good fortune, and of course Mount Fuji towering in the distance.

No biographical details, but the artist Mori Seikaku specialises in animal and flower scroll paintings. He signs his work the traditional way, with the characters for his given (brush) name, Seikaku (lit. 'nest of the crane') and a seal of the same.

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An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E11184 (11-184 on box)
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© Noda Sesson

Red Fuji and cranes (Sesson)

In this very traditional style of picture, Fuji literally appears to glow red from the golden foil background. The composition is completed by the pair of lucky cranes, balanced by the sho-chiku-bai triplet of pine, bamboo, and plum blossom.

No biographical details available. Conventionally, artists are known by their "given names", though the 'son' character in particular clearly indicates this as a "brush name."

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An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E13205 (13-205 on box)
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© Hoshi-no-techo / Kagaya

Scorpio (Kagaya)

Born in Saitama (just north of Tokyo) in 1968, Kagaya spent his childhood in wonderment of the stars in the sky, and never stopped painting them. He has had a successful career as an illustrator for astronomical books and magazines, and many of his works have been turned into jigsaw puzzles, among other products. Since 1996, he has worked exclusively in the digital medium, using a Macintosh. Perhaps that is why he does not appear to sign his pictures.

He goes by his family name; his given name appears to be Yutaka, but in English you will also find him called Joh Kagaya (Jô is the Chinese reading of his name).

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A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30")
Code: Y10873 (10-873 on box)
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© Ikehara Shôji

Island pilgrimage (Ikehara)

The "pilgrimage" of the title no doubt refers to the famous tour of 88 Buddhist temples on the artist's home island of Shikoku. Children lead the way for a couple of henro (pilgrims) on this path around the headland.

A Web search for "Shikoku pilgrimage" will find many accounts in English: here's one by Jeff Hackler

Born in Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku) in 1939, Ikehara is an artist specialising in illustration for children's story book, but whose work has also appeared in TV manga versions of traditional tales, and on postage stamps. His style is simple, but effective.

He signs his pictures with a hand-drawn "seal", which is hard to decipher, but looks like the second character of his given name.

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An Epoch puzzle: 500 pieces; 38 x 53 cm (15" x 21")
Code: E06023 (06-023S on box)
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© Shinya Uchida

Cappuccino (Uchida)

Uchida's travels have taken him almost everywhere - here a sun-kissed corner of an Italian town (no indication of the exact location).

An unceremoniously dumped bag of shopping awaits the return of its owner - perhaps the person with the bicycle? We shall never know, but it provides the perfect counterpoint.

This puzzle has a luxury "Cloth touch" finish.

Uchida was born in 1960 in Kyushu, and after a degree in fine arts from Aichi University of Education, became hooked on lone travelling. From there he was drawn into sketching, getting his first magazine publication in 1988. Since then he has kept travelling the world, and produced a whole series of book publications. Having spent three years in Perth, from 1991 to 1994, he regards Australia as his second home, but has also visited many parts of Europe and America.

Note that he writes his name in the "Western" order; Uchida is his family name.

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Code: Y05749 (05-749 on box)
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© Epoch

Mt. Fuji and Shinjuku skyscrapers

A different view! Fuji seen behind the skyscrapers of the Shinjuku district of Tokyo.

As Mount Olympus was the home of the Greek gods, so Mt. Fuji (3776 metres above sea level) has its place as the symbol of Japan. Although most popular tourist pictures show the view from the south, with the bullet train passing below Mount Fuji, the best views are from the north and east sides.

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An Epoch puzzle: 300 pieces; 38 x 26 cm (15" x 10")
Code: E25063 (25-063S on box)
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© Hideki Yoshioka

Wedding chapel (Yoshioka)

The happy couple have just emerged from this fantasy wedding chapel, with celebrating guests all around them (including on the roof!)

This is a "Glow-in-the-dark" puzzle.

Born in 1956, Hideki Yoshioka is an airbrush artist who has had a successful career in fantasy illustration. Yoshioka is his family name.

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Code: E28007 (28-007S on box)
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© Chiba Katsutsuke

Morning mist on azaleas (Mt. Chokai)

Wild azaleas (Rhododendron japonicum) in the morning mist - an atmospheric view below Mount Chokai (2236 m) in Northern Japan, a volcano that last erupted in 1974.

A photo by Chiba Katsutuke, taken 6 am, early June.

Technical details: Sinar F whole-plate camera, 75-mm lens, 1/4-second at f/22; Fujichrome Velvia film

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© Sanrio

Hello! (Hello Kitty)

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A Yanoman puzzle: 204 pieces; 10 x 15 cm (4" x 6")
Code: Y98304 (98-304 on box)
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