FFFES Art Installation 「A Butterfly’s Name」 by Haruna Mitobe
Nanamica will host a temporary art installation titled "A Butterfly’s Name " by artist Haruna Mitobe at nanamica MOUNTAIN in Daikanyama, Tokyo.
The project "FFFES (For. Feel. Find. Endangered Species)" was launched in the previous season.
Each season, it highlights one species of living creature and one artist. The goal is to provide an opportunity for people to learn about endangered species while enjoying the artwork of the creature created by the artist and the corresponding items. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Nature Conservation Society of Japan, a public interest incorporated foundation that works on the conservation of endangered species in Japan. In the 2026 Spring & Summer season, we feature Aporia hippia japonica that is a rare alpine butterfly known as the “fairy of the deep mountains” for its ethereal white wings and artist Haruna Mitobe as sixth edition of this project.
For this art installation, we are pleased to present a special exhibition at the nanamica MOUNTAIN store featuring works by Mitobe, created art piece by upcycling excess fabric. By conceptually combining excess fabric generated during the production process with endangered flora and fauna, she has created new artworks based on printmaking techniques.
Through her unique perspective, please enjoy this special installation which links the endangered species Aporia hippia japonica with artworks that intertwine materials, nature, and design.
In conjunction with this exhibition, visitors can enjoy the lineup of THE NORTH FACE Purple Label’s Spring / Summer collection, particularly the FFFES series primarily available at nanamica MOUNTAIN.
Through Mitobe’s artwork and the message of this exhibition, we hope to spark interest in the natural environment surrounding us, including endangered species like Aporia hippia japonica.
Here is Mitobe’s comment:
「When we confront what exists, what has existed, and what might exist, I hold out hope that if we can each approach our goals using our own diverse means and methods, those goals will eventually take shape.」
FFFES Art Installation
「A Butterfly’s Name」
by Haruna Mitobe
Dates：2026 May 1 (Fri) - May 14 (Thu)
Venue：nanamica MOUNTAIN
Artist: Haruna Mitobe
ミヤマシロチョウ / Aporia hippia japonica
A Japanese endemic subspecies found only in localized areas at high mountain elevations.
It inhabits regions between 1,400 and 2,000 meters above sea level across Gunma, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Shizuoka prefectures. Adults emerge from July to August, feeding mainly on the nectar of purple-hued flowers such as thistles and Cypripedium japonicum (Kumagaisō), while males are often seen gathering moisture along streams.
Their wings are white with black streaks along the veins, and the forewings measure about 30–40 mm in length. With its pure white wings, this butterfly is often called “the fairy of the deep mountains.” It was first discovered in the Yatsugatake range of Shinshu (Nagano), where it was once known as the “Shinano White Butterfly.” It is considered one of the region’s iconic and rare alpine species. Although conservation efforts are underway, deforestation, land development, vegetation changes, and damage to host plants by other animals have severely reduced its habitat and degraded its living environment.
【Crisis Situation】
※Habitat degradation caused by human development(loss of habitat)
※Decrease in human land management due to lifestyle changes(forest overgrowth, decline of grasslands, and reduction of host plants)
※Population decline due to collecting and poaching (human-induced reduction in numbers)
Haruna Mitobe
Born in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Based in Yokosuka.
Her practice centers on the themes of recording and preservation, creating installations and drawings that explore environments bearing traces of human presence and seek the essential reality behind human behavior. In recent years, she has been living in Yokosuka, where she collects discarded materials such as iron and copper buried in the yato valley areas, experimenting with transforming these hard remnants into soft materials through dyeing techniques.
FFFES (For, Feel, Find, Endangered Species)
【Endangered Species in Japan】
Each season, it highlights one species of living creature and one artist.
The goal is to provide an opportunity for people to learn about endangered species while enjoying the artwork of the creature created by the artist and the corresponding items. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Nature Conservation Society of Japan, a public interest incorporated foundation that works on the conservation of endangered species in Japan.
https://www.nanamica.com/contents/1197/
Pop-up event featuring Haruna Mitobe at nanamica MOUNTAIN is scheduled to start from May 1, 2026. We will continue to regularly share content and pop-ups created by the store for our customers to enjoy. For more details, please visit the nanamica MOUNTAIN Instagram account.
