Abstract

★“Spring Will Come, Always”—Wildflowers That Live Life to the Fullest, Whatever the World Around Them, Whatever Their Circumstances.
★Delicate Yet Noble, Graceful Yet Resilient. An Essay Collection Celebrating 36 Wildflowers That Appear Throughout Japan’s Mountains and Countryside in Every Season.

This essay collection explores the wildflowers that bloom in Japan’s mountains and countryside, accompanied by beautiful illustrations that capture the unique character of each plant. Drawing on the author’s extensive knowledge of plants, the essays introduce the habits and characteristics of wildflowers that emerge throughout the four seasons.

Rooted firmly in the earth whatever their circumstances, these resilient plants remind us of the importance of choosing for ourselves where we belong and how we wish to live.

“Adults sometimes want children to aspire to live like sunflowers. Sunflowers have plenty of companions, after all, and the world is more favorable to people like them, offering a wider range of choices in life. Even if we do not necessarily approve of a world that values uniformity, our parental instincts lead us to guide children toward what seems the easier path. When I find myself struggling with these conflicting feelings, I think it is good to venture deep into a mountain stream valley and look at the iwatabako flowers blooming there, seemingly content with their lot. They teach us what true happiness really means.” — From the book

Author’s Information

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