June 16, 2017

Waterlily flowers: Ofuna botanical garden (Kamakura)



In the mild sunlight of early afternoon, the dainty flowers of waterlily have already awaked from their sleep and are in bloom gently on the quiet surface of the pond.

Until its short life ends, a waterlily flower opens in the bright morning sun and closes in the dim light of late afternoon.

Like a beautiful illusion of life, every flower blooms dedicatedly and too soon vanishes away secretly before our eyes.

(In homage to Claude Monet) 

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Kaizo-ji



Just before the long rainy season, the moist air of June causes the violet tiny flowers of Iwa-tabako to bloom with one accord.

Like innocent flower sprites in the shady grove, these fragile pentagram flowers appear from the shadow of the thick green leaves which cling on the moss-covered rock surfaces.

They bloom earnestly to carry out their noble mission of life and then quickly fall to the ground with no regrets.


Bamboo grove: Eisho-ji



The firm and solid vital force of Bamboo makes me sense the quiet and evergreen beauty of life.

It continues to grow single-mindedly with its unshakable resolution.

Shaku-yaku (Paeonia lactiflora) flowers: Ofuna botanical garden (Kamakura)

Rose garden: Ofuna botanical garden (Kamakura)


Bamboo grove: Eisho-ji


Kaiu (Zantedeschia) flowers: Kaizo-ji


Shaku-yaku (Paeonia lactiflora) flowers: Ofuna botanical garden (Kamakura)


Iwagarami (Schizophragma hydrangeoides) flowers: Tokei-ji



Rose garden: Ofuna botanical garden (Kamakura)


Ivy leaves: Kita-kamakura


Maple tree: Tokei-ji