ABSTRACTBats are essential to ecosystem functioning, providing vital services such as pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control. With over 1400 species worldwide, they exhibit diverse roosting behaviors that are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors. However, research on bat populations, particularly in urban environments, remains limited in Nigeria. The study investigated the spatial distribution of Straw‐Colored Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum) roosts within the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus in Nigeria. Using field surveys and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis, the researchers mapped bat roost distribution, identified hotspots, and explored tree species preferences. Our findings reveal that roosting sites are predominantly clustered in sections of the campus, particularly in the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Administration areas, with 83% of observations recorded in Section D. Celtis zenkeri was identified as the most preferred roosting tree species, accounting for 16.54% of total observations. The study emphasizes the importance of specific tree attributes, such as height and canopy area, in roost site selection within the urban campus environment. The research contributes to a better understanding of bat roosting ecology and provides insights to guide conservation strategies, recommending that urban planners prioritize the preservation of preferred tree species like Celtis zenkeri. Additionally, statistical analyses, including a one‐way ANOVA, confirmed significant preferences for tree heights ranging from 15 to 20 m. This research highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies that consider the specific roosting habits of bats in urban settings, emphasizing the importance of preserving key tree species and habitats within rapidly urbanizing landscapes.

In 2022, the non-native longhorn beetle Anoplophora horsfieldii (Hope) was officially reported on Jeju Island, Korea, marking its first confirmed occurrence outside its native range. This insect damages living hackberry trees, a common species in Korea, posing a significant threat to tree health due to its high population levels on Jeju Island. This study aimed to estimate the climatic suitability and spread potential of A. horsfieldii to support its effective management in non-native regions, particularly on Jeju Island. We adopted a species distribution modeling (SDM) approach using global presence records and bioclimatic variables to estimate its climatic requirements. Random forest (RF) and gradient boosting machine (GBM) algorithms were used to construct climatic niche models, and their outputs were combined into an ensemble prediction to identify regions with high climatic suitability. Potential habitats were further delineated by integrating the climatic suitability map with vegetation data from Jeju Island. Using this habitat map, we simulated the potential spread of A. horsfieldii on Jeju Island, incorporating demographic processes and various dispersal parameters. Our findings indicate that A. horsfieldii could potentially spread across parts of Southeast and East Asia, including southern Korea and Japan. On Jeju Island, extensive suitable areas were identified through host distribution analysis, suggesting that A. horsfieldii could establish across the island except in the high-altitude regions of Mt. Halla. The spread potential analysis highlights the urgent need for prompt actions to control the expanding population on Jeju Island and calls for further ecological studies on this potential invader. Despite uncertainties arising from limited ecological information, this study highlights the necessity of implementing domestic quarantine measures and control strategies while considering multiple spread scenarios and the dispersal behavior of this insect.

Abstract Celtis australis L. (Family: Cannabaceae) is commonly used to treat many diseases like gastrointestinal problems, menstrual bleeding and amenorrhea. The present study was designed to investigate the chemical constituents, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and cytotoxic properties of different extracts from twigs, fruits and leaves of C. australis. EtOAc, EtOH, 70% EtOH and aqueous extracts were prepared by maceration. Results showed that the EtOH extract of the leaves had the highest total phenolic content and possessed remarkable antiradical, ion reducing and total antioxidant activities. Additionally, the leaves (EtOH or EtOAc extracts) exerted the best enzyme inhibition properties. The polar extracts of the leaves had significant cytotoxic effect against the human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT‐29) and human prostate cancer (DU‐145) cell lines while the EtOAc of the twigs was effective against the former cell line. Phytochemically, the twigs and fruits accumulated high content of vanillic acid, 4‐hydroxy benzoic acid and syringic acid. Through a combination of in vitro and in silico approaches, we identified key phytochemicals exhibited significant inhibitory effects on several cancer‐related proteins, through in vitro and in silico approaches that show significant inhibition of cancer‐related proteins. In conclusion, these findings indicated that C. australis could be a promising source of bioactive molecules for food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

This study is aimed at investigating the volatile constituents of the air-dried roots of Celtis zenkeri. The volatile oil was extracted using hydro-distillation method and characterised using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The volatile oil was screened against six selected bacteria and four fungi strains using the agar diffusion method. The molecular docking study of the identified compounds was conducted to investigate their binding pattern with the substrate and nucleotide complexes of Enterococcus faecium aminoglycoside-2’’-phosphotransferase-IIa [APH(2’’)-IIa] (PDB ID: 3HAM) and full-length Lanosterol 14 alpha-Demethylases of Prominent fungal pathogens Candida albicans (PDB ID: 5V5Z). The yield of the volatile oil (% w/w) root of C. zenkeri was 0.79%. Six compounds were identified in the root essential oil representing 80.07% of the volatile oil. 2-methyl-1-pentene (40.01%) was the most abundant compound in the root essential oil. The volatile oil from roots of the C. zenkeri exhibited good activity against all the screened bacteria and fungi strains at a concentration of 12.5-100 mg/mL when compared with Gentamicin for bacteria and Tioconazole for fungi.

This study investigated the performance of Celtis zenkeri exudates in preventing galvanised steel exposed to acid concentrated water and soil. The study was performed in order to find an alternative coating substance that can reduce the corrosion of galvanised steel pipes exposed to corrosive water and soil media. Various steel specimens were cut into portions and coated with the exudates at 25 - 50µm thickness. To accelerate the rate of corrosion, 0.5M hydrochloric acid (HCl) was added to tap water in a container. Also, the same concentration of HCl was equally added to soil samples. Uncoated steel specimens were immersed in the acid concentrated water and soil, servicing as control sample. The rate of corrosion was monitored for 30 days (720 hours). The inhibition efficiency of the exudates for both corrosive media was compared. Results showed that the weight loss and corrosion rate of galvanised steel decreased with increase in coating thickness. Comparatively, the weight loss and corrosion rate in the uncoated specimens were higher than the coated specimens. With 25 - 50µm coating thickness, the decrease in corrosion rate ranged from 0.01272 to 0.0027mm/yr for specimens immersed in water and from 0.2226 to 0.0185mm/yr for specimens buried in soil, while for uncoated specimens, the corrosion rate was 0.2793mm/yr and 0.4150mm/yr for specimen immersed in water and soil respectively. The inhibition efficiency of Celtis zenkeri exudates increased with coating thickness, which ranged from 54.46 – 99.03% for specimens immersed in water and 46.36 – 95.54% for specimens buried in soil at 25µm – 50µm coating thickness. The results demonstrated that Celtis zenkeri exudates can be used as corrosion inhibitor for steel exposed to corrosive media.

The aromatic amide: N-p-trans-coumaroyltyramine (1) was isolated for the first time from the stem bark of Celtis zenkeri (Ulmaceae). Its four new derivatives (1a–d) and previously reported diacetylated product (1e) have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically followed by their in vitro screening for anti-urease potential. The diacetylated product (1e) was found to be the most potent inhibitor with an IC50 value of 19.5 ± 0.23 μM compared to thiourea used as standard (21.5 ± 0.47 μM). Furthermore, molecular docking studies were conducted revealing striking interactions of the active compounds with catalytically important residues such as His593, Ala636 and Asp633. Subsequently, the prime MM-GBSA calculations provided the ligand binding and strain energies. The molecular dynamic simulations validated the docked and post-docked complexes where compounds 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e remained stable throughout the simulation. This study provides insight into the N-p-trans-coumaroyltyramine derivatives (1b–e) that can block the substrate entry, thereby inhibiting the urease’s catalytic activity. Hence, these hit compounds can proceed for further pre-clinical studies for drug discovery against urease. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Objective: The study evaluated the hyperglycaemia-lowering effects, safety, and phytochemical profile of Celtis zenkeri leaf extract in order to justify its antidiabetic folkloric usage. Methods: Modified OECD test guidelines were used to assess its acute and sub-acute toxicity while its effect on blood parameters such as blood glucose, and haematological and biochemical levels were evaluated using appropriate assays. Both in vitro and in vivo antihyperglycaemic assays were used for the antidiabetic studies while histology of the pancreas, liver, and kidney of the rats was examined after treatment with the extract at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg for 21 days. GC-MS analysis was used to determine the chemical constituents of the extract. Results: The results obtained showed that the leaf extract of C. zenkeri was not toxic in rats at 5000 mg/kg. It elicited a significant decrease in the blood glucose levels of the animals but did not affect the haematological and biochemical components of normal rats. It significantly inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase actions and gave comparable activity to glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) at all time points at 200 and 400 mg/kg. The extract comparably reduced blood glucose levels with glibenclamide at 100 and 200 mg/kg on days 10 and 14 in drug-induced diabetic rats and maintained the histoarchitecture of the liver, kidney, and pancreas at 250 and 500 mg/kg. Conclusion: The study justified the ethnomedicinal use of C. zenkeri in diabetes management.

The study was carried out to determine the effect of honey, palm oil and NPK fertilizer on the growth of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel. and Pleurotus ostreatus (Jack.) Kumm. on Celtis zenkeri Engl. sawdust. Composted sawdust was supplemented with honey, palm oil and NPK fertilizer at 0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% on the dry weight basis and inoculated with 5% spawn. The substrate amended with 4% palm oil was fully colonized by Pleurotus ostreatus and P. pulmonarius after 26.0±2.1 and 32.2±1.3 days, respectively. The mushroom took shorter time (43 days) for primordial emergence at 6% palm oil. Average of 55 fruitbodies of P. ostreatus was harvested from 4% palm oil supplemented sawdust. The best mushroom yield was recorded from 8% palm oil (278.5 ±5.0 g) and 8% honey (270.1±2.7 g). The highest biological efficiency was observed at 8 % palm oil (77.36±1.5 %) and 8 % honey (75.03±2.5 %) for P. ostreatus. The two mushrooms species performed significantly (p=0.05) with palm oil and honey supplementation. The best performance was observed at 6% and 8% supplementation with palm oil and honey. The research has shown that supplementation of sawdust substrate with honey and palm oil at 4 - 8% can be a good formulation for commercial cultivation of oyster mushrooms.

ABSTRACT Our studies covered the responses of the common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.) to artificial lighting at night. We analyzed the effect of three types of lamps used in public lighting: high-pressure sodium lamp (HPS) and two types of LED lamps. Physiological, macro- and micromorphological measurements were carried out during the research. Common hackberry tree was affected by the night light of street lamps, although the tested individuals received natural lighting during the day. Moreover, there were differences observed between the effects of the investigated lamp types. The high-pressure sodium lamp (HPS) resulted in histologically thicker leaves with higher photosynthetic yields, together with more efficient stomatal movements. The LED lamp with a color temperature of 3000 K enhanced the establishment of the photosynthetic apparatus and the growth of the palisade parenchyma. The physiology and histological development of leaves illuminated at night with a narrow-spectrum LED with a color temperature of 1900–2400 K remained inferior compared to those on shoots kept in the dark at night. Our results confirm that the type of the light source is a relevant factor in considering the effects or prevention of light pollution on plant anatomy.

PurposeThis study aims to examine the market structure and the factors influencing the price of fuelwood in the Dormaa Municipal in the Bono region of Ghana.Design/methodology/approachA total of 200 fuelwood harvesters, 20 wholesalers and 20 retailers were sampled by using probability and non-probability sampling methods. Gini coefficient was used to analyse the market structure, whereas quantile regression was used to analyse the factors influencing the pricing of fuelwood.FindingsThe study results indicated that the fuelwood harvesters’ market is less concentrated, with a Gini coefficient of 0.22, likewise the fuelwood intermediaries’ market, with Gini coefficients of 0.22 and 0.32 for wholesalers and retailers, respectively. The price of fuelwood decreased when sold through the retailer and wholesaler outlets, but the price increased when sold via the end-user outlet. Less smoky fuelwood species attracted higher prices, whereas easy-to-light fuelwood species were sold at lower prices. Furthermore, fuelwood from Perpewa (Celtis zenkeri) and Acacia (Senna siamea) species received the highest prices in the market. It is recommended that fuelwood harvesters establish woodlots with acacia (Senna siamea), especially and Perpewa (Celtis zenkeri), both of which emit less smoke and have high calorific value with fast rotation period. This will ensure fuelwood availability and offer better prices to the harvesters, as such species command high prices in the market.Originality/valueThere is paucity or near unavailability of literature on the market structure and the influence of the hedonic attributes on different quartile prices of fuelwood; the result of this study provides the foundational springboard for future studies on fuelwood marketing.

This study assessed the preference of wood species used for furniture making and roofing in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. A cross-sectional assessment study, which employed questionnaire and on-site observations, was used. A sample of 100 respondents was ramdomly selected from wood users comprising mixtures of active furniture makers and carpenters in five local government areas out of the 11 local government areas of Ibadan metropolis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation to establish relationship between education, year of experience and choice of wood species. From the study, 18 and 17 species were found to be available for the production of furniture and roofing respectively in the study area. Gmelina arborea (41%,) follow by Khaya senegalensis (14%), Mansonia altissima (13%), Milicia excelsa (11%), Cordia millenii (11%) and Celtis zenkeri (10%) are the prominent and the most prefer wood species for furniture making. While Anogeissus leiocarpus (52%) follow by Milicia excelsa (20%) and Cola acuminate (15%) and Spent Elaeis guineensis wood (9%) were the most prominent prefer wood species for roofing.100% of the respondent are into furniture making while 96% of the respondent are into furniture making and carpenters. The preference criteria of species for furniture and roof making are strength (29%), good finished(24%), visual appearance(17%), durability(10%), easy machining(12%), availability(2%) and the knowledge of the wood species(6%). concerted effort through reforestation and afforestation for continuous supply of the preferred wood species to forest industries need to be carried out.

This study was carried out to assess diversity, biomass and carbon storage potential of some tree species in a Nigerian forest. All trees with Dbh >10cm were enumerated. Tree growth variables, namely the Diameter at the base (Db), Diameter at breast height (Dbh), Diameter at the middle (Dm), Diameter at the top (Dt) and height, were measured for basal area and volume estimation and their frequency of occurrence was ascertained for tree diversity assessment. Fifty-six (56) trees distributed among 21 species and 11 families were enumerated in this study area. Some of these species were Acacia ataxacantha, Blighia sapida, Alstonia bonnie, Ceiba pentandra, Celtis zenkeri, Khaya ivorensis, etc. Funtumia elastica had the highest frequency of occurrence (11 stems) with a Relative Density of 19.64%. Therefore, it could be regarded as the most abundant tree species in the forest. Shannon Wiener index of 2.62 was recorded for this study with an evenness value of 0.86. Khaya senegalensis stored the highest carbon of 4.86 tonnes, and total Above Ground Biomass (ABG) of 53.64 g/m2, equivalent to 26.82 tonnes of Carbon was obtained for all the tree species. The results from this study showed that there is high level of forest degradation in the study area. Though, the forest could only store small amount of carbon but it has been able to reduce the amount of carbon escaping into the atmosphere. Conservative measures must be put in place to protect the forest from further degradation and this will go a long way in mitigating climate change by serving as carbon sinks.

Loss of biodiversity has been recognized as one of the main threats to the forest ecosystem. This study examined the diversity and conservation status of woody species in the secondary forest of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria using six permanent plots. All woody species were completely enumerated, and identified; their girths at breast height were measured at 1.3 m above buttress. Biodiversity status was assessed using Shannon-Wiener diversity, evenness of distribution, Sorrenson index of similarity and species importance value index. There were 77 tree species distributed into 62 genera and 30 families. The most abundant species were Celtis zenkeri and Lecaniodiscus cupanioides, while the most abundant families were Moraceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Fabaceae. The tree species density ranged from 508 – 1132 plants per hectare. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index (1.83 to 3.50), evenness (0.483 – 0.741) and the basal area (6.06 – 25.73 m2 ha-1) were high in the forest. However, Celtis mildbraedii is critically endangered, while Garcina kola, Mallotus oppositifolus and Ricinodendron heudelotii are vulnerable. This study provides baseline diversity data for the conservation of woody species in the forest and concludes that this secondary forest is a potential biodiversity hub if properly managed. It will also play a key role in fashioning out realistic, appropriate, and effective conservation strategies that will enhance the restoration and management of the floristic composition of the secondary forest.

The paper analyzes the elements of the stand structure and proposes silvicultural measures to improve conditions in the stand of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.) aged 28 years in Subotica-Horgos sands. The research was performed on three permanent experimental plots on which selective thinning (T1 and T2) was performed experimentally in two plots, while one was left as a control plot (C).Initially, 528 trees for tending per hectare were selected in the studied age, of which 448 black locust and 80 common hackberry trees per hectare were selected on T1, and 320 black locust and 208 common hackberry trees per hectare on T2.In experimental plots T1 and T2 at least one competing tree was cut down to each tree for tending, and a total of 912 and 1072 trees were cut down per hectare with a total volume of 53-55 m3?ha?1.In this way, a basis was created for the assessment of the growth response of trees to selective thinning in the upcoming period.

This study was carried out to examine the tree species diversity and abundance in a natural forest ecosystem in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. Data were collected from a four equal size sampling plot of 50×50m in a permanent sample plot section of Akure Forest Reserve. All living trees with DBH ≥ 10cm were measured and identified. A total of 956 trees were encountered. These trees were from 42 genera and 20 families. Celtis zenkeri belonging to the family of Ulmaceae was the species with the highest population distribution while Sterculiaceae was the dominant family in the study area. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (Hˈ) of 3.196 and species evenness of 0.84 were obtained from the study area. The high values of diversity indices obtained indicated that the forest is rich in biodiversity and hence should be protected from any forms of disturbance to enhance sustainability as well as protect the rare species in it from going into extinction.

A new iso-benzofuranone propanamide: 3-(3-oxo-1, 3-dihydroisobenzofuran-1-yl) propanamide (zenkeramide) (1) along with three known compounds: Trans-N-coumaroyltyramine (2), β-Sitosterol (3) and β-sitosterol-3-0-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the stem-bark of Celtis zenkeri Engl (Ulmaceae). The structure of the new compound was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The compounds were examined for Urease Inhibitory Activity. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate activities (IC50 values (μM) of 42.3 ± 0.19 and 45.2 ± 0.55, respectively), while compounds 3 and 4 were potent inhibitors of the Jack bean urease (IC50 values (μM) of 20.3 ± 0.37and 27.6 ± 0.52, respectively), when compared to the standard inhibitor (thiourea- IC50 21.5 ± 0.47). The isolation of all the compounds from C. zenkeri and the urease activity of compounds 1 and 2 are reported for the first time.

The aim of this study was to analyse the species composition, structures, and regeneration of woody plant species and the impacts of site factors on the natural regeneration of tree species in four study sites of MFBR. The vegetation data were collected systematically in 140 plots with the size of 400 m2 for trees; 25 m2 for seedlings, saplings, shrubs, and lianas; and 1 m2 for herbs. Individual tree and shrub DBH ≥ 5 cm were measured and counted. The diameter at breast height (DBH), frequency, basal area, importance value index (IVI), and density were used for vegetation structure description and regeneration. A total of 158 plant species belonging to 115 genera, 56 families, and 80 species (51%) trees, 26 (16%) shrubs, 19 (12%) herbs, and 33 (21%) lianas were identified and recorded. The most dominant families were Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, and Moraceae, each represented by 13 species (7.4%), 12 species (6.8%), and 10 species (5.7%), respectively. The tree densities varied from 1232 to 1478 stem ha−1, sapling density 176.8 to 708.7 stem ha−1, and seedling density 534.7 to 1657.5 stem ha−1, with an average basal area of 63.6 m2 in the study sites. Dracaena afromontana was the most frequent woody species in the MFBR occurring in 90% followed by Celtis zenkeri (65%) and Pouteria altissima (62.5%). The regeneration status of all the woody plant species was categorised as “not regenerate” (9.6%), “poor” (30.7%), “fair” (59.5%), and “good” (10.8%) in all sites. The correlation result between natural regeneration and site factors revealed both positive and negative relationships. However, the main threat to the biosphere reserve is illegal logging for different purposes. Therefore, awareness creation on sustainable forest management, utilisation, conservation of priority species, and livelihood diversification to the local community and encouraging community and private woodlot plantation in the transitional zone of biosphere reserves are recommended.

Celtis zenkeri is a valuable tropical tree species for industrial and domestic purposes. For several years, exploitation of this species has not been sustainable and no reforestation or cultivation effort has been put in place both by governmental and non-governmental agencies. Anthropogenic activities have resulted in deforestation and subsequent reduction in the population size of important timber species. The research aim was to determine the impact of anthropogenic activities on genetic diversity of Celtis zenkeri in South-West Nigeria. Extensive sampling of Celtis zenkeri was carried out in four natural forest ecosystems. Two pristine forests (SNR, Akure forest and Osun Osogbo sacred grove) and two degraded forests (OA3 and Eda forest reserve). Young leaves were collected from each tree found in each site and preserved with silica gel for molecular analysis. In all, 130 accessions were sampled and were analyzed with five chloroplast microsatellite markers. In the result, allelic richness, which is a measure of genetic diversity and an indicator of a population's long-term potential for adaptability and persistence, was significantly higher in the two pristine forests than the two degraded forests. Statistically, a significant difference was not recorded for the observed heterozygosities (Ho) in the population of Celtis zenkeri in the pristine forests (Queen’s plot and Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove) and a degraded forest (OA3). The formal indicates the possibility of conserving genetic diversity using traditional conservation approaches such as taboos and restrictions. Though OA3 is a degraded forest, the impact of the anthropogenic activities may not have been severe when compared with Eda forest reserve. At present, the scale of human activities in Eda forest reserve and OA3 could pose a serious threat to the future viability of the species if unchecked. Therefore, ex-situ conservation and sustainable harvesting of Celtis zenkeri are recommended.

In this paper, a change of diameter structure in a pre-maturing stand of black locust and common hackberry under the influence of a late thinning is analysed. The research is based on three permanent experimental plots and two measurements of diameters in a five-year period. One of the plots is a control plot and two plots are experimental, where the thinning was carried out in a stand 28-years old, with the thinning intensity of 28.9–30.6% of the initial density, approximately evenly distributed across diameter classes. In the investigated stand common hackberry came from the neighbouring areas in the stand structure. The initial measurement in the autumn of 2014 confirmed the share of common hackberry of 16–18% in the total number of trees thicker than 5 cm with a dominantly reversed J shape of the diameter structure and the presence of trees in all the diameter classes. In the period of stand age from 28 to 33 years, a dominant process on all treatments was the mortality of thinner trees, while the recruitment of common hackberry trees was recorded in all treatments. On the control plot, a quarter of the trees died, while an eighth of the remaining trees died in the thinned plots, mostly black locust trees. In thinned plots, only black locust trees died with a characteristic that the intensity of mortality was higher in thinner trees, while in the control plot some thick black locust trees died, as well as and some thinner common hackberry trees. In the five-year period, numerical parameters of variability (standard deviation, coefficient of variation), the shape of distributions (skewness and kurtosis) and heterogeneity of diameters at breast height (Gini index, Lorenz asymmetry coefficient) have shown a trend of increasing variability and change of diameter distributions of trees in all treatments, but it is more expressed in thinned plots compared to the control plots. Growth dominance coefficient of diameters shows that the competition between the collectives of both species and the black locust collective is of asymmetric type and more expressed in the thinning treatments. In common hackberry trees on the control plot the competition between the trees is of asymmetric type, while on the thinned plots, the competition is of symmetric type. This shows that after thinning, common hackberry has a biological potential that is higher than that of black locust and that the natural succession can be accelerated through thinnings.

Utagawa Hiroshige and New Year's Eve Foxfires at Nettle Tree, Ōji from NATURE/SUPERNATURE: Visions of This World and Beyond in Japanese Woodblock Prints Meher McArthur (bio) Click for larger view View full resolution Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) New Year's Eve Foxfires at Nettle Tree, Ōji, no. 118 from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo. Edo period (1603–1868), 1857. Full-color woodblock print, ink on paper 13 ¼ in. x 8 ⅝ in. (33.65 cm. x 21.91 cm.). Scripps College Collection, Gift of Mrs. James W. Johnson, 46.1.108. Meher McArthur is Art and Cultural Director, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles and the curator of NATURE/SUPERNATURE: Visions of This World and Beyond in Japanese Woodblock Prints (February 15, 2021–May 31, 2021). Image courtesy of Scripps College, Claremont, CA. [End Page 154] The Japanese have long believed that spiritual or supernatural beings inhabit nature and have a profound impact on human life. Depending on how humans behave toward nature and each other, these forces can be benign or destructive. In the late Edo (1603–1868) and Meiji (1868–1912) periods, natural landscapes and the spiritual beings inhabiting them became popular themes in woodblock prints. Such prints were the focus of NATURE/SUPERNATURE: Visions of This World and Beyond in Japanese Woodblock Prints, an exhibition held at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles from February to May 2021. The exhibition featured two main groups of supernatural beings: kami and yōkai. Broadly speaking, kami are spiritual beings that reside in particular places and elements of nature and control nature. Respecting the kami by worshipping them at shrines, offering them food and drink and holding festivals in their honor ensures their support and protection, while dishonor and neglect can invite natural disasters. Yōkai are also thought to impact people's lives in both positive and negative ways. These "mysterious apparitions" can be shape-shifting animals, trickster spirits, ghosts, demons, or monsters. In many Japanese folk tales and legends, careless or cruel behavior toward other humans, animals, and nature can bring about wicked, destructive yōkai (such as demons, angry ghosts, and monsters), while kindness is rewarded by these creatures. In Japanese folklore, foxes (kitsune) are associated with the kami of the rice harvest, but they can also be yōkai attributed with supernatural powers like shapeshifting, bewitching, and possession. In Japanese texts from the early 700s, foxes were described as benign and auspicious. They were spotted in the rice fields catching the mice who eat the rice, so were seen as protectors of the rice crop—even rice deities. Soon after, they were considered messengers of Inari, the kami of the rice harvest, and at shrines to Inari, the presence of the deity is suggested by stone statues of foxes. At some point during the Heian period (794–1185), tales of wicked foxes, who trick, bewitch, and possess [End Page 155] men were introduced into Japan from Chinese and Korean lore, adding complexity to the character of the kitsune. In this print, New Year's Eve Foxfires at Nettle Tree, Ōji by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), we see foxes gathering under a tree at nighttime. The print is from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, designed during the final two years of the artist's life. The prints spotlighted popular places in the capital city Edo (modern Tokyo) and often featured details relating to traditional beliefs and practices. Here, Hiroshige portrays the natural landscape at Ōji in northern Edo, a site associated with Inari. Many Edoites visited the large Inari Shrine at Ōji in the springtime to pray for an abundant harvest in the fall. Since wealth was measured in units of rice during the Edo period, the deity also became the god of financial prosperity. Tradition also held that on New Year's Eve, sacred foxes from all regions gathered under the nettle tree at Ōji. These foxes were believed to carry torches in their mouths creating kitsune-bi, or "fox fires." Local farmers predicted the success of the coming year's crops by the brightness of these fires. In this particular print, Hiroshige imagines the mysterious atmosphere of a gathering of sacred foxes...