Jigsaw puzzles of Japan - rural nostalgia

Rural nostalgia

Featured artists on this page: Yoshida Keiji - Ikehara Shôji - Yoshida Toshikazu

The "real" Japan is not to be found in the concrete ugliness of modern Tokyo, nor the somewhat stiffly preserved history of Kyoto, but it is still there, beyond the end of the railway line...

(Strictly speaking, some of this nostalgia is urban rather than rural, but the feeling is the same, so anyway...)

500: Asahi Shokudô (Uchida)

This is the "real" rural Japan. A tiny, family-run business offers simple meals, while simultaneously selling seaside knick-knacks and "ice candy" (ice lollies, or popsicles in the US). Uchida's trademark bicycle and straw hat wait outside.

The sign proclaims that the establishment offers okonomi-yaki (a sort of omnibus pancake) and yaki-soba (fried noodles), ubiquitous stomach-fillers, and underneath its name: Asahi (literally "Morning sun") Shokudô, the humblest rank of eatery.

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.

This puzzle has a luxury "cloth" surface finish.

In stock
A Yanoman puzzle: 500 pieces; 53 x 38 cm (21" x 15")
Code: Y05773 (05-773 on box)
Normally ¥2000 - special offer 10% off: ¥1800 (approx. US$17.48 €11.11 £8.78)
Shipping from ¥600 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$5.83 €3.70 £2.93)
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More puzzles on the Uchida feature page

1000: 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.)

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E11043 (11-043 on box)
Normally ¥3000 - special offer 10% off: ¥2700 (approx. US$26.21 €16.67 £13.17)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.65 €7.41 £5.85)
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More puzzles on the Kuroiwa feature page

Yoshida Keiji

Born in 1930, in Gifu Prefecture, Yoshida Keiji graduated in 1952 from what is now the Tokyo University of the Arts, and trained as an architect. He was a joint founder of Rengousekkeisha Ichigaya Architects in Tokyo, and in addition has held academic appointments and written widely, particularly on wooden building construction and aspects of townscape. He is active in the movement to preserve the traditional Japanese townscape, which features in his many "travel sketches," together with views from wider travel around the world.

Yoshida is his family name.

1500: Tsumago post town (Keiji)

A faithful representation of the classic view at Tsumago. As the inscription on the noren tells us, this is station 43 on the old Nakasendo road where it begins to climb over the Japan Alps on the long journey from Kyoto to Tokyo.

The noren is the short curtain hung outside the building on the right (meaning "We're open!") –this is the famous Matsushiroya inn, one of the hostelries catering to weary travellers on what must have been an arduous journey.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1500 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E15044 (15-044 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$29.13 €18.52 £14.63)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.65 €7.41 £5.85)
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1500: Warehouses, Kurashiki (Keiji)

Warehouses cluster by the waterway in this beautifully preserved area of Kurashiki. These were run by the Tonya, the forerunner of Japan's famously beaurocratic distribution system. The architect's eye faithfully depicts details of the buildings, while the artist's produces a fine composition.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1500 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E15043 (15-043 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$29.13 €18.52 £14.63)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.65 €7.41 £5.85)
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Ikehara Shôji

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.

500: 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

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 500 pieces; 38 x 53 cm (15" x 21")
Code: E06023 (06-023S on box)
Normally ¥2000 - special offer 10% off: ¥1800 (approx. US$17.48 €11.11 £8.78)
Shipping from ¥600 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$5.83 €3.70 £2.93)
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Yoshida Toshikazu

Born in Tokyo in 1963, the artist portrays nostalgic glimpses of the world of his childhood. In addition to being a prolific illustrator, he is a keen mountaineer in his spare time.

He paints in a distinctive pointilliste style: closely-packed blobs of bright colour. Yoshida is his family name - he does not seem to sign his pictures.

1000: Springtime (Yoshida)

It's cherry blossom time again! This festive scene is set at the entrance to a shrine (marked by the torii arch), which is doubtless a good spot for a picnic under the falling petals.

(Note that the white frame is part of the puzzle.)

In stock
An Apollo puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: P10537 (10-537 on box)
Normally ¥2800 - special offer 10% off: ¥2520 (approx. US$24.47 €15.56 £12.29)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.65 €7.41 £5.85)
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Deleted puzzles

For reference: you can view all the puzzles from this page that have gone out of print in the Attic.