July 23, 2016

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji



The midday sun of early summer is shining in the sky above and is clearly brightening a flower of sacred lotus blooming still in a quiet corner of the garden.

A flower fly is hovering above the silky petals as if to be wholly enchanted by the divine beauty and aroma of the flower.

The quintessence of summer sunlight has just descended from the serene blue sky to appear in the form of this majestic flower of Buddha.


Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Kencho-ji



The once-vivid colors of Ajisai flowers are withering away slowly but surely above the growth rings of a felled cedar tree.

In the quiet garden filled with the summer sunlight, one living thing is ceasing to exist and another living thing is coming into being in front of my eyes.


Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji


Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji


Bamboo grove: Eisho-ji


Nouzen-kazura (Campsis grandiflora) flowers: Kaizo-ji


Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji


Water lily flower: Kaizo-ji


Kikyo (Platycodon grandiflorus) flowers: Kaizo-ji


Bamboo grove: Kencho-ji


July 4, 2016

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Kita-kamakura (Genji-yama)



The mysterious chemistry of the rain makes Ajisai flowers assume exquisite hues of watercolors.

The tender sunlight coming down from the gray rainy sky is harmonizing with these moisty colors as if it were intended secretly.

In this quiet and moist season, Ajisai flowers keep changing their delicate colors gradually by the subtle interplay between the fruitful rain and their own plant pigments.


Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Kita-kamakura


Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Kencho-ji



Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Kaizo-ji



Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Engaku-ji


Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers:Tokei-ji


Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Engaku-ji


Ajisai (hydrangea) flowes: Kaizo-ji


Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Tokei-ji


Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Kaizo-ji