A stone pagoda in the woods of Tokei-ji temple

A small white stone pagoda stands still in the heart of the woods of Tokei-ji temple. This beautiful pagoda is the "Fudeduka" (i.e. "a grave of paintbrushes") of Seison Maeda (1885-1977). He is one of the most prominent painters of the modern "Nihonga" (Japanese paintings) movement. He lived in the neighborhood of this temple from 1945 to his death.

A "Fudeduka" is the Japanese traditional memorial-tower which is built to praise and memorialise a dead great teacher or artist by his or her students and persons concerned. The paintbrushes or writing-brushes ("Fude") which were used for a long time by such a teacher or artist are housed in this stone pagoda.

The paintbrushes used by Seison Maeda are housed in this beautiful 13-story white stone pagoda in the quiet woods for a tribute to his great achievement.

A tree in Kaizo-ji temple

I found this beautiful tree with the subtle golden gradations of leaves standing serenely and solitarily like an enlightened zen monk in the clearing of the temple.

The garden of Kaizo-ji temple

The twisted trunks of an "Ume" (plum) tree in the foreground added Nihonga-like fascinating impression to the brilliant scene of full-blooming "Shion" (Aster tataricus) flowers in the garden.

Rindo (Gentiana scabra var. buergeri ) flowers in Tokei-ji temple

The French ultramarine blue of "Rindo" flowers is one of the most attractive gifts of nature that we can find in the garden of mid-October.

Shumeigiku (Japanese anemone) in Engaku-ji temple

Hototogisu (Tricyrtis hirta) flowers in Engaku-ji temple

Pelopidas-mathias butterflies and Shion (Aster tataricus) flowers in Kaizo-ji temple

In the garden of Kaizo-ji temple, the reckless male butterfly was eagerly following around and courting the nonchalant female butterfly which was busily sucking nectar from flower to flower.

Numerous dazzling flowers of "Shion" (Aster tataricus) are blooming ecstatically in the clear afternoon sunlight of October.

The garden and Hojyo of Jochi-ji temple

I always sense elegant simplicity and profound calmness in this small peaceful garden.

Hototogisu (Tricyrtis hirta) flowers in jyochi-ji temple

Flowers are flowering wholeheartedly without any fear and waver.

Shumeigiku (Japanese anemone) in Engaku-ji temple

A cabbage white butterfly in the garden of Engaku-ji temple

Butterflies will soon disappear from the gardens of autumn. The offspring of this cabbage white butterfly will survive the cruel wintertime as a tiny pupa or larva under dead leaves dreaming of their lively and joyous flight in the bright blue sky of next spring.

Kanzeon-Bosatsu (the goddess of mercy) statues in the garden of Engaku-ji Temple

One hundred Kanzeon-Bosatsu (Avalokitesvara) stone statues are enshrined in the front garden of Hojyo (the main hall) of Engaku-ji temple. Kanzeon-Bosatsu is the goddess of mercy in Buddhism and appears basically as Sho-kanzeon (aarya avalokitezvara) Bosatsu.

In order to save all living beings equally, Kanzeon-Bosatsu takes a wide variety of metamorphosed forms in accordance with the natures of the living beings to be saved by her infinite mercy.

Blue Rindo (Gentiana scabra var. buergeri) flowers in Tokei-ji temple

The small flowers flowering quietly in the shade of this garden might know the true meaning of quietness.

Hototogisu (Tricyrtis hirta) flowers in Engaku-ji temple

I heard these tiny flowers whispering softly about the beauty of the universe.

Byakurochi (white-heron pond) in Engaku-ji temple

Ripples and reflections on the calm surface of water.

Shumeigiku (Japanese anemone) flowers in Tokei-ji temple

Flowers are joyfully living in "eternal now" like a Zen-man who has obtained "Satori" enlightenment.

The setting sun at Yuigahama beach

Yuigahama is a beach locating at the southern tip of the old shogunate city of Kamakura. Sometimes, thanks to the dry weather and clear sky of autumn, I encounter the amazing view of the setting sun and the quiet water of Sagami-bay.

The golden sun is setting in the west. In the Pure Land Buddhism of Japan, the Jyodo (Pure Land) of Amida-nyorai (amitaabha) Buddha is believed to locate distantly in the western direction. The reflection of the golden setting sun appeared to be a long sacred road to this Pure Land in the peaceful water of the sea.

A Shaka-Nyorai statue in the garden of Tokei-ji temple

A moment of quiescence in the autumnal garden.

A praying-mantis in Engaku-ji temple

A small prayer in the undergrowth.

A Hototogisu (Tricyrtis hirta) flower in Engaku-ji temple

A small flower blossoms secretly without being noticed.