Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers in Jochi-ji

The tiny violet flowers of Iwatabako had completely disappeared from view and the colorful Ajisai flowers are fading away gradually.

Soon the rainy season will be over and the subtle and enchanting colors of this moist season will vanish away from the gardens of Zen.

The long midsummer is beginning in a stealthy way.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers in Kencho-ji

The emerald-green leaves of Iwatabako are glistening like satin on the dark brown surface of rocks.

The violet flowers will soon begin to fall in the wind one after another like tiny shooting stars.

These glossy leaves keep growing splendidly until frosty winter comes here.

Iris flowers in Meigetsu-in

In Japan, purple is traditionally esteemed as the most elegant and refined color.

The stunning combination of light bluish purple and vivid yellow, along with the petal texture looking like rich silk fabric, is the quintessence of the true beauty of this season.

Iris flowers in Meigetsu-in

Under the precious fair sky, against the jade green background of leaves, different purple colors of graceful iris flowers dazzled my eyes totally.

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla form. macrophylla) flowers in Kita-kamakura

By the side of the rusty railway track and stones, various violet flowers of Ajisai are blossoming in full glory inconspicuously.

Gaku-ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) Flowers in Kencho-ji

The green leaves and blue flowers of Gaku-ajisai are forming a peculiarly graceful pattern which can only be seen in this cloudy season.

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla form. macrophylla) flowers in Engaku-ji

In the soft sunlight just after a rainfall, the remaining rain drops on the petals are modestly enhancing the delicate beauty of these blue violet flowers.

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla form. macrophylla) flowers in Kencho-ji

Beside the gentle steps leading up to a minor temple, the blue flowers of Ajisai are blooming placidly.

Gaku-ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) Flowers in Kencho-ji

Gaku-ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) Flowers in Kencho-ji

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla form. macrophylla) flowers in Kencho-ji

An exquisite palette of the rainy season.

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla form. macrophylla) flowers in Kencho-ji

Gaku-ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) Flowers in Kencho-ji

Gaku-ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla f. normalis) flowers in Kita-kamakura

The rainy season has just started and every plant keeps flourishing and blooming vigorously throughout Kita-kamakura. The rich moisture and moderate temperature of this season are energizing the growth of life greatly .

In this watery season, blue is an essential color and it creates various brilliant purples in combination with red pigments.

Everywhere in Kita-kamakura, I encounter bright blue and violet flowers and deep green leaves, which seem to be an exceptionally good gift from the wet sky during this season.

Ayame (iris) flowers in Tokei-ji

In the soft sunlight peculiar to June, the graceful color combination of the rich purple of the Ayame (iris) flowers and the Prussian blue of the Gaku-ajisai (lacecap hydrangea) flowers is creating an unusual Rimpa-style scene which can only be found in this season.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers in Tokei-ji

The royal purple flower of Iwatabako is one of the beautiful emblems of the rainy season in Kita-kamakura.

I feel that these tiny flowers (about 1.5 cm across) are silently whispering with each other about the heartfelt joy of blooming on the moss-covered surface of weathered rocks.

Ayame (iris) flowers in Meigetsu-in

The particular beauty of an Ayame flower consists in the subtle delicacy of its figure and the graceful quality of its colors.

The deep green leaves of Ayame stand upright like straight and sharp blades and emphasize the exceptional grace of this flower of rain.

Ayame (iris) and Matsuba-giku (Lampranthus spectabilis) flowers in Kaizo-ji

The colony of the rich magenta flowers of Matsuba-giku (Lampranthus spectabilis) is shining in the mild sun as if to contend with the purple-striped white flowers of iris in beauty.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers in Kaizo-ji

The small star-shaped flower of Iwatabako on the surface of rocks is a bewitching messenger of early summer in Kita-kamakura.

The bluish violet of the flowers and the deep green of the thich leaves and moss harmonize with each other magically in the soft sunshine filtering through the branches of trees.

Gaku-ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla f. normalis) flowers in Kaizo-ji

 The white calyxes of these Ajisai flowers are beginning to turn red little by little and waiting silently for the descent of the drops of rain.

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers in Kencho-ji

It gives us special seasonal joy to see the noble beauty of various purple colors peculiar to this narrow season of rain.

Here in Kita-kamakura, every garden of Zen is abundant in elegant purple colors such as royal purple, deep purple, pale purple, amethyst, violet, plum and bluish violet.

Ayame (iris) flowers in Meigetsu-in

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers in Meigetsu-in

This aqua blue is a heavenly gift from the rainy sky.

Ajisai ( hydrangea) flowers in Meigetsu-in

Ayame (iris) flowers in Meigetsu-in

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers in Kita-kamakura