Obuse (Obuse-machi, Nagano Pref.)

Original Paintings by Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)

The Hokusai Museum houses more than forty original paintings as well as various ceiling paintings by Katsushika Hokusai (Ryu – "Dragon", Ho-o – "Phoenix", and Doto – "Angry Waves"). Important works created by Hokusai during his stay in Obuse (1844-1848) are on display at this institution.

Ceiling paintings
on festival floats
(left: Ho-o, right: Doto)

Chestnut Confectionary and Cuisine

Obuse is widely known as a traditional center of chestnut production. (According to some accounts, the history of chestnut production in this area dates back over six centuries.) In the past, offerings of such products were made to the Shogun's family. Some of the finest examples of such products include kuri yokan, kuri ka-no-ko, and kuri okowa. These represent different types of traditional Japanese confectionary made with chestnuts of exceptional quality.

Kuri-no-Komichi

Kuri-no-Komichi (literally the Chestnut Path) is a pedestrian walkway constructed from rectangular lumber obtained from chestnut trees. The texture of the wood conveys a gentle sense of peace to people as their feet touch the ground. A path whose elegance and profound meaning are a function of the hospitality of residents, Kuri-no-Komichi exists in a state of perfect harmony with the streets of this town.