Every Fall This High School Art Teacher in Nara Sweeps Fallen Leaves into Ephemeral Art

japanese art, design and culture

this year’s fall foliage creation featured Crayon Shinchan | all images courtesy hamacream

Over a decade ago a high school art teacher in Nara asked himself the question, what are some free activities that would inspire students to take an interest in art? The answer lay at his feet: the vibrant colors of the fall foliage that had fallen to the ground. So he picked up a broomstick and got to work.

the 2022 fall foliage art featured the cat bus from My Neighbor Totoro

in 2021, the teacher created the popular children’s show character Anpanman

For over 10 years, every autumn, the art teacher has been creating popular anime or game characters using a broomstick and the tree leaves that have fallen into the school’s courtyard. At first his creations were ignored but over time they grew in popularity and now he chooses his subjects based on popular demand from his students. His creations are popular not only with the students but with the school janitors too!

It’s only been in the last several years that the teacher has begun posting his works to social media but you can see them, as well as his other creative classroom endeavors, on Instagram.

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