プリントオンデマンド

Choshi Stone: The Living Heritage of Japan’s Coastal Rocks

(著) 石毛正明

作品詳細

[About the Book]
Along the coast of Chōshi, Chiba Prefecture, one can still find mysterious holes made by boring shells and smooth, lustrous rocks shaped by the waves.
This book is a valuable photographic record of the “Chōshi Stones,” captured by the author who was born and raised in Chōshi.

Among them are uniquely shaped stones such as “Panda Rock,” which resembles a panda; sandstone formations that evoke Hokusai’s wave patterns; and remnants of “Chōshi Stone,” once used in stairways and stone lanterns since the Edo period.
Through beautiful photographs, the book introduces the natural art and stone culture that have been interwoven with people’s lives for generations.

It also explores the spiritual and cultural significance of stones—such as the “Heavenly Stone Flute” that inspired the scholar Hirata Atsutane—and raises an important question: How can we preserve these disappearing local heritages as they weather and erode over time?

A recommended read for those fascinated by rocks and stones, those interested in geoparks and natural landscapes, or anyone seeking to connect with Japan’s cultural and historical heritage.

[Profile]
Ishige Masaaki

Born 1952, Chōshi City, Chiba Prefecture
1976 Graduated Meiji Gakuin University; joined Chiba Kōgyō Bank
Present Executive Director, Chōshi Corporate Association (public interest incorporated)

Acknowledgments (titles omitted)
Ishigami Tōgo
Saruta Masaki
Nakata Hiroshi
Muroi Tomoharu

References
“Reading Edo Travels” by Yōko Itasaka
“Heavenly Stone Flute”
“Chōshi City History”

Cameras
Nikon D-7500
Nikon D-5600
Nikon D-300
Canon EOS-M3
Sony NEX-6