Hollyhocks blossom in early summer, opening from the bottom up. They can grow to be about eight feet tall, making them look very impressive and wonderful. The flowers begin to bloom at the beginning of the Japanese rainy season from the bottom up, and they reach full bloom at the end of the Japanese rainy season. This is why a hollyhock is also known as a “tsuyu-aoi” (Japanese rainy season hollyhock).

This is a painting of hollyhocks by Keiji Yamazaki. The red and white hollyhock flowers are very beautiful. The light green color of the background is created with “sumi-nagashi” (paper marbling) technique and implies the coming of refreshing weather after the end of the Japanese rainy season. It seems as if the butterfly can’t wait for it to end. The depiction of the butterfly adds a soft touch to the painting. This shows Keiji Yamazaki’s masterful ability to control the balance between relaxation and tension on the screen.

sumi-nagashi (paper marbling)

A technique to disperse floating ink by dropping resin on the water surface and printing it on a paper. A similar effect may be obtained with water colors.