FROM THE GARDEN OF ZEN: June 2018

June 20, 2018

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Chojyu-ji

The summer rainy season has just set in.

Along the uphill road beside the modest temple, the ajisai flowers of various colors and shapes are finely blooming against the overcast sky.

The subtle coloring and ceaseless metamorphosis of these flowers are brought about by the abundant moisture and minerals absorbed from the rain and soil.

Under the threatening sky peculiar to this season, ajisai flowers closely wait for the rain to keep blooming exquisitely and their quiet beauty soaks into my mind deeply like a gentle merciful rain.

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

Ajisai flowers gradually change color due to the subtle chemistry of water and soil during their flowering periods.

The milky white sepals of these flowers are dyed with the various shades of ruby red.

This coloring perfectly matches the fresh green of leaves and reminds me of a classical color combination of kimono cloth.

Gaku-ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla f. normalis) flowers: Engaku-ji

The small ultramarine-blue flowers are blooming in the interior of the flower head.

These flowers and the flower-buds are ornamented with the frame of snowy petal-like calyxes.

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

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Kita-kamakura

Bamboo grove: Jochi-ji

Thanks to the favorable rainfall and temperature of this season, the bamboo grove continues growing abundantly.

The dense blades and tall stems are trembling lightly in the mild breeze, which lets me know that this bamboo grove is full of the true joy of living.

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Kita-kamakura

Bamboo grove: Jyochi-ji

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Chojyu-ji

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Jyufuku-ji

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

June 11, 2018

Suiren (water lily) flowers: Ofuna botanical garden (Kamakura)

The thick foliage and the bright sunlight of early summer are calmly reflected on the slight ripples of this water-lily pond.

The graceful flowers and circular leaves are inlaid over the quiet water surface and are in harmony with the impressive atmosphere of flickering light and colors.

The gentle breezes are sweeping over the pond to transform the reflected picture of light and colors ceaselessly.

(as an homage to Claude Monet)

Hanashobu (iris) flowers: Ofuna botanical garden (Kamakura)

Basking in the bright early-summer sun, the fragile silken flowers of iris are blooming stunningly to the utmost.

The wet and warm atmosphere just before the rainy season gives birth to the precious gradations of violet colors and the exquisite figures of these flowers. Each flower blooms only for three days and becomes withered up too soon.

(From these violet iris flowers, I remember the beautiful painting titled "The Iris Garden At Giverny" by Claude Monet.)

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji

In Kita-kamakura, the tiny violet flower of Iwatabako is a notable symbol of the summer rainy season.

Together with colorful hydrangea flowers, Iwatabako flowers let us know that summer has come around and the rainy days of June will begin soon again.