Hokkaido Heritage is a tangible and intangible asset of Hokkaido that we want to pass on to the next generation. The winners of the Hokkaido Heritage Photo & Tanka Challenge 2024, which invited photos and tanka poems on the theme of Hokkaido's 74 heritage sites, have been announced. Starting this year, it is now possible to submit entries via social media, and a tanka poem category has also been added. These impressive works will give you the opportunity to rediscover the charm of Hokkaido. Please enjoy the charm of Hokkaido Heritage expressed through photos and tanka poems.

"Photo Category" Grand Prize and Runner-up

Grand Prix

Shigezo Hayashi / Land of Secret Stories

■ Subject / Location and time of shooting Shakotan Peninsula and Cape Kamui / Cape Kamui, August 2022

■Comment from the artist While preparing to shoot "Candle," a collaboration between Kamui Rock and the sun that occurs in spring and autumn, I unexpectedly encountered a dramatic scene in which an "Angel's Ladder" spread across the sky. I shot the scene while thinking of the secret story handed down in this area.

■ Comments from the judges The highlights of this work are the bold yet soft rays of light and the golden color that remains between the dark clouds. Even if you go to the same place many times, there are times when you can't find a satisfactory view, but this time you were able to capture just the right moment. It's not just luck, but also the sensitivity to discern it. The shape of Kamui Rock, which gives the impression of pointing upward, is also alive.

Runner-up

・Kazuji Hirata / Mikuni no Aki

■ Subject / Location and time of shooting Tokachi Mimata Jukai / Mikuni Pass, October 2021

■Comment from the artist Keeping an eye on the weather forecast, we headed to Mikuni Pass after the rain. The morning sun was shining on the peak of the autumn leaves, and the sea of clouds was in an exquisite position.

■ Comments from the judges The sea of trees seen from Mikuni Pass is one of the most popular spots for camera enthusiasts. There were many similar shots, but I'm glad I was able to take this perfect shot. It's great to see just a small part of the overwhelming sea of trees emerge in the morning sun, and the composition is also nice, with the Matsumi Ohashi Bridge, a symbol of modern architecture, reflected in the shot without being too assertive. It's a dramatic shot.

・Kinue Esaki / Solitary

■ Subject / Location and time of shooting Notsuke Peninsula and Utase Boats / Todowara, Notsuke Peninsula, February 2021

■Comment from the artist Todowara is a precious peninsula, with its trees decreasing year by year. This tree, which was there when the photo was taken, has now decayed and no longer exists, making me reflect on the power of photography to record things.

■ Comments from the judges A lone tree, bare of leaves and looking frail, yet standing firm, with the shining sun at its side. It really is picturesque. The crimson-hued snowfield is stunning, and the photo has a powerful feel that is typical of Hokkaido in winter. The shadows in the foreground and the black area in the center are well-balanced, and the composition is sophisticated.

Tanka Division Grand Prize and Runner-Up

Grand Prix

Yusuke Endo

■ Subject Lower verse karuta

■Comment from the artist Previously, when I was playing competitive karuta as a hobby, I became friends with a female karuta player from Hokkaido, and through her I learned about Shimo-Ku Karuta. She ended up marrying another male karuta player (not Shimo-Ku Karuta), but it was apparently a reverse marriage proposal. I thought, "Oh, normal karuta must have been frustrating for her," and it was interesting to think about it, so I decided to write a song about it.

■ Comments from the judges The idea of combining the lower verse karuta with a marriage proposal is good. Bringing the theme into the lower verse is a skilled technique.

Runner-up

・Tetsu Nakamura

■ Subject Wakka / Koshimizu Primeval Flower Garden

■Comment from the artist In June of this year, I traveled from Shiretoko to Koshimizu. I had wanted to visit this area ever since I was a student (more than 50 years ago). Both places were wonderful, just as I had hoped, but as I gazed out over the Sea of Okhotsk from the hills of Koshimizu, memories of the past and the many people who had passed by came to mind, and I felt as if the Hemerocallis swaying in the wind were waving goodbye, and this song just came out of my mouth.

■ Comments from the judges The proper noun section, which could have been anything, is completed with "Koshimizu no Kisuge" (Day-Globe of Koshimizu), showing stability. The tune is good.

・Toshihiko Matsumoto

■ Subject Lake Mashu

■Comment from the artist I went to Lake Mashu on my honeymoon more than thirty years ago. I traveled around Hokkaido, but the blue of Lake Mashu is what made the biggest impression on me. It was definitely "blue," but it was a different kind of "blue." When I looked up, I saw the usual sky. That, too, was "blue," but it was a familiar "blue." That's why the "blue" of Lake Mashu was a "blue" that would stay in my memory forever.

■ Comments from the judges The song is full of majestic images. The refrain is used to make each "blue" appear as a different color, which is a great skill.