Bamboo grove: Jochi-ji

In the bright light of midsummer, a bamboo grove becomes most beautiful and full of life.

The subtle composition of its rigid trunks and vivid green blades discloses the particular life force that only this brilliant season can bring to us.

The upright bamboo trunks, each of which grows almost one node per day in summer, are taking on various colors like wild flowers.

Seasons are passing swiftly like the wind while leaving their own invaluable but transient pictures on our minds.

Bamboo grove: Jochi-ji

The wood-siding wall of the Buddha hall: Kencho-ji

On the weathered wood-siding wall of the Buddha hall, a landscape of a quiet grove was drawn with the green moss and the brown rain stains.

Sacred lotus flowers: Kencho-ji

In front of the Chinese-style gate, white lotus flowers are peacefully basking in the bright summer sunshine.

The trunk of an old Byakusin (Chinese juniper) tree: Kencho-ji

In the gardens of Zen temples, a Byakusin tree is an emblem of the ascetic life for spiritual awakening.

Its flouncing trunk and evergreen needle leaves symbolize the harsh discipline and the perfect enlightenment which Zen monks must pursue.

The gate fittings of the Buddha hall: Kencho-ji

With the quiet passage of time, that which comes into being must fade and decay in its own beautiful way.

Fuyo (Confederate rose) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Saru-suberi (Indian lilac) flowers: Jochi-ji

Sacred lotus flower: Kaizo-ji

Sacred lotus flowers: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Sacred lotus flower: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Approach to a temple: Engaku-ji

Stone washbasin: Engaku-ji

The sunbeams of summer are pouring down through the thick branches of trees.

A moss-covered stone is sitting still in the grass like a solitary ascetic.