FROM THE GARDEN OF ZEN: October 2013

October 30, 2013

Waves: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

The calm waves are endlessly breaking and receding on the sands.

The golden setting sun is making the countless ripples and bubbles shine brightly in the descending dusk.

I am standing still at the water's edge staring at the waves which are lapping the beach eternally.

Setting sun: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

The sinking sun has just appeared behind the thick gray clouds to dimly illuminate the smooth water surface of the sea.

Night is gradually settling down on the beach, where the soft sound of the waves is continuing.

Waves: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

The dry landscape gardens (Kare-sansui) of Zen temples often symbolize the sea and islands with the use of rocks and gravels to subtly imply a state of spiritual awakening.

The sea, the sky and the horizon may be a secret gateway to the distant and infinite universe to where we must ultimately return.

The evening sun sparkling with gold is slowly sinking in the west, where the Pure Land of Buddha is believed to exist.

Waves: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

As the declining sun sinks down moment by moment, the sea and sky continuously change their colors and shapes in subtle ways.

In the transient evening twilight, the rolling waves keep lapping the sand to vanish away in a moment.

Leaves: Kaizo-ji

This old tree is standing still as always like a quiet sage who knows the true meaning of the changing seasons.

Its fresh green leaves grow thick in soft spring breeze. In the dazzling sun of summer, its vivid green leaves shine brightly. As autumn deepens, its leaves turn yellow and red. Then this tree swiftly drop its all colorful leaves to withstand the cold harshness of winter and to prepare for the next spring.

Shumei-giku: Tokei-ji

In the well-tended garden of this small Zen temple, the modest white flowers of Shumei-giku (Anemone hupehensis var. japonica) are blooming gracefully in the pleasant sunlight and crisp air of mid-October.

Jyugatsu-sakura (October cherry): Engaku-ji

A Jyugatsu-sakura (Prunus × subhirtella cv. Autumnalisblooms) tree blossoms twice a year. "Jyugatsu-sakura" means "a cherry tree which blossoms in October."

One-third of the buds of this tree usually come into blossom from about October and the remaining buds bloom in the next spring. The October flowers are said to be somewhat smaller than the flowers of spring.

It was a my great pleasure to again see these delicate and elegant flowers of sakura under such a crystal autumn sky.

Old tenzuiji jyuto ooidou: Sankei-en (Yokohama)

This carved wooden doors belong to the small antique shrine called "Tenzui-ji jyuto ooidou," which was built in Kyoto by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as a resting place for his mother in 1591. This shrine was relocated to Sankei-en garden (Yokohama, Japan) in 1901.

Sankei-en was the private garden designed and built by Tomitaro (Sankei) Hara (1868–1939), who was one of the most successful merchants and one of the most elaborate collectors of Japanese fine arts at that time.

The heavenly maiden-like creatures in the auspicious clouds, which are carved on these wood panels, are called "Karyobinga." Karyobinga is an imaginary bird in paradise that sings sweet notes, according to Buddhist sutras.

Old tenzuiji jyuto ooidou: Sankei-en (Yokohama)

This photograph shows the front view of "Tenzui-ji jyuto ooidou."

The figure of paulownia's flowers and leaves on the metal fittings and the roof tiles is the family crest of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Rinshun-kaku and Choshuu-kaku: Sankei-en (Yokohama)

This quiet place of Sankei-en comprises the private houses and garden where Tomitaro (Sankei) Hara (1868–1939) and his family lived.

All of the houses and bridge shown in this picture were relocated to this Sankei-en garden as a portion of his fine collection of Japanese historic buildings.

The slanting sun of late afternoon was brightening up the needles of pine trees finely.

October 7, 2013

Before dusk at Yuiga-hama beach (Kamakura)

Just before the dusk arrives here, the low silver clouds illuminated by the sinking sun are drifting smoothly in the darkish blue sky.

The soft sound of the waves is heard perpetually like the breathing of the calm sea which is spreading out endlessly before me.