Jochugi-kun

The image character Jochugi-kun (じょちゅうぎくん) is a fairy who appears on the Innoshima island only when pyrethrum flowers bloom. Designed by the artist Pocho, this character embodies the delicate charm of the pyrethrum plant while serving as a deeply personal creation, intertwined with the artist's own family life. Initially inspired by Pocho's son as a newborn, Jochugi-kun was designed with a flower-shaped head and facial features reflecting the "newborn acne" her son had at the time. This playful detail imbues the character with both humor and tenderness, linking the flower figure to an intimate moment of early parenthood. Over time, however, Jochugi-kun has evolved. Through a series of illustrations, Pocho continues to use the character to depict her son at different stages of his life. The flower head remains a constant symbol, tying the narrative to the fleeting yet recurring bloom of the pyrethrum plant.

One such narrative unfolds during a Golden Week holiday, a moment captured when Pocho's son is older. The story is set against a backdrop of everyday family life: a pleasant breeze carries away the stress of the season, yet chaos ensues as her daughter creates an avalanche of water balloons, laundry piles up, but her son remains immersed in a book. In this scene, Jochugi-kun becomes a lens through which Pocho reflects on her son's growing independence and evolving personality, all while preserving the flower motif as a reminder of his origins. Through this evolving series, Pocho's artistry transforms Jochugi-kun into more than a design. The character becomes a living narrative, one that mirrors the delicate balance of life's fleeting moments and the stories we build around them.