Popular Botanical Encyclopedia Loved for Over 20 Years Undergoes Major Revision! "Latest Edition: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Weeds and Wild Plants in the City [2nd Edition]" to be Published in May 2026!
Shuwa System Shinsha Co., Ltd. will publish the 2nd edition of "Latest Edition: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Weeds and Wild Plants in the City" on May 15, 2026. This popular botanical encyclopedia, loved for over 20 years, has been thoroughly revised with a focus on practicality and extensive information.
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Shuwa System Shinsha Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kengo Tsushima) will publish the new book "Latest Edition: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Weeds and Wild Plants in the City [2nd Edition]" on May 15, 2026.
■ Fully Updated After 20 Years
The first edition of this book, "A Comprehensive Guide to Common Weeds and Wild Plants in the City," was published in 2006 and has been supported by many readers for nearly 20 years since then. A revised edition was once published in 2014, but the environment surrounding plants and research knowledge have continued to change since then. In response to these trends, this revised edition, which marks the completion of a full cycle of the Chinese zodiac, will reappear with significantly reviewed content.
■ Greatly Revised 2nd Edition, Almost Entirely Rewritten
For this 2nd edition, under the policy of "daring to rewrite everything," the content has been completely refreshed. It is structured to offer new discoveries and surprises even to those who have enjoyed the previous edition. At the same time, the editorial policy that this book has cherished since its first edition has been maintained.
■ An Encyclopedia that Prioritizes "Usability" Over Appearance
This means prioritizing whether it is useful for actual nature observation rather than visual beauty or fame. Furthermore, it delves into information rarely touched upon in general botanical encyclopedias, making it an encyclopedia that stimulates intellectual curiosity the more you read it. Based on these two principles, we are challenging the limits of how much information can be packed into a limited number of pages.
■ Overwhelming Amount of Information, Including Varieties, Forms, and Hybrids!
This book focuses on weeds and wild plants commonly seen in familiar urban areas, vacant lots, and parks, and significantly increases the amount of information by paying attention to subtle differences such as varieties, forms, and hybrids. In addition, it actively incorporates "living information" that the author has gained through many years of daily nature observation, providing explanations filled with real-world experience that go beyond desk knowledge.
■ Your Perspective on Nature Will Change, Starting from Familiar Flowers and Plants!
No matter how small or inconspicuous, every flower and plant has its own life and lives to the fullest. This book is a guide to re-examining such familiar plants and rediscovering the joy and depth of observing nature. It can be used as a resource for nature observation, as well as a companion for walks and fieldwork, making it useful for a wide range of readers.
■ Author Biography
Hideaki Iwatsuki
Born in Miyagi Prefecture. Weather forecaster. Research collaborator at Chiba Prefectural Sekiyado Castle Museum. Representative of the Japan Meteorological Forecasters Association Biological Season Network. Member of the Botanical Society of Japan, the Meteorological Society of Japan, and the Japanese Society of Snow and Ice. As a natural science writer, he is widely involved in the production of books on nature, such as plants and weather. He also serves as an instructor for many nature observation classes and outreach lessons, and actively appears in the media. His nickname is "Wapichan."
● Main Books on Plants
"A Guide to Discovering the Wonders of Familiar Plants to Develop an Eye for Observation" (Jiji Press)
"An Edible Guide to Common Wild Plants and Weeds" (Natsume Publishing)
"A Guide to Wildflowers for Children to Teach on Walks" (Yamato Shobo)
● Official Website "Aozora Mate"
https://wapichan.sakura.ne.jp/
● Official X (formerly Twitter) Account: @wapichan_ap
■ Book Overview
Title: Latest Edition: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Weeds and Wild Plants in the City [2nd Edition]
Author: Hideaki Iwatsuki
Price: 3,080 yen (tax included)
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4798076279/
Rakuten Books: https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18377461/
*Available at bookstores nationwide and online bookstores.
■ Fully Updated After 20 Years
The first edition of this book, "A Comprehensive Guide to Common Weeds and Wild Plants in the City," was published in 2006 and has been supported by many readers for nearly 20 years since then. A revised edition was once published in 2014, but the environment surrounding plants and research knowledge have continued to change since then. In response to these trends, this revised edition, which marks the completion of a full cycle of the Chinese zodiac, will reappear with significantly reviewed content.
■ Greatly Revised 2nd Edition, Almost Entirely Rewritten
For this 2nd edition, under the policy of "daring to rewrite everything," the content has been completely refreshed. It is structured to offer new discoveries and surprises even to those who have enjoyed the previous edition. At the same time, the editorial policy that this book has cherished since its first edition has been maintained.
■ An Encyclopedia that Prioritizes "Usability" Over Appearance
This means prioritizing whether it is useful for actual nature observation rather than visual beauty or fame. Furthermore, it delves into information rarely touched upon in general botanical encyclopedias, making it an encyclopedia that stimulates intellectual curiosity the more you read it. Based on these two principles, we are challenging the limits of how much information can be packed into a limited number of pages.
■ Overwhelming Amount of Information, Including Varieties, Forms, and Hybrids!
This book focuses on weeds and wild plants commonly seen in familiar urban areas, vacant lots, and parks, and significantly increases the amount of information by paying attention to subtle differences such as varieties, forms, and hybrids. In addition, it actively incorporates "living information" that the author has gained through many years of daily nature observation, providing explanations filled with real-world experience that go beyond desk knowledge.
■ Your Perspective on Nature Will Change, Starting from Familiar Flowers and Plants!
No matter how small or inconspicuous, every flower and plant has its own life and lives to the fullest. This book is a guide to re-examining such familiar plants and rediscovering the joy and depth of observing nature. It can be used as a resource for nature observation, as well as a companion for walks and fieldwork, making it useful for a wide range of readers.
■ Author Biography
Hideaki Iwatsuki
Born in Miyagi Prefecture. Weather forecaster. Research collaborator at Chiba Prefectural Sekiyado Castle Museum. Representative of the Japan Meteorological Forecasters Association Biological Season Network. Member of the Botanical Society of Japan, the Meteorological Society of Japan, and the Japanese Society of Snow and Ice. As a natural science writer, he is widely involved in the production of books on nature, such as plants and weather. He also serves as an instructor for many nature observation classes and outreach lessons, and actively appears in the media. His nickname is "Wapichan."
● Main Books on Plants
"A Guide to Discovering the Wonders of Familiar Plants to Develop an Eye for Observation" (Jiji Press)
"An Edible Guide to Common Wild Plants and Weeds" (Natsume Publishing)
"A Guide to Wildflowers for Children to Teach on Walks" (Yamato Shobo)
● Official Website "Aozora Mate"
https://wapichan.sakura.ne.jp/
● Official X (formerly Twitter) Account: @wapichan_ap
■ Book Overview
Title: Latest Edition: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Weeds and Wild Plants in the City [2nd Edition]
Author: Hideaki Iwatsuki
Price: 3,080 yen (tax included)
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4798076279/
Rakuten Books: https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18377461/
*Available at bookstores nationwide and online bookstores.