Kinmokusei (Osmanthus fragrans) flowers and Sho-kannon-do temple: Engaku-ji

The countless small flowers of Kinmokusei (sweet olive) are in full bloom to notify the fast deepening of autumn, and are announcing their gorgeous blooming by diffusing their pleasant, sweet fragrance in this tranquil garden, which will be vividly adorned with colored autumn leaves soon. 

In the humble "Kannon-do" temple below a cloud of golden yellow flowers, the small wooden statue of the Sho-kannon (Holy Avalokiteshvara) is silently standing and is tenderheartedly staring at the ceaseless and swift transition of the seasons and all living things before his eyes.

Kinmokusei (Osmanthus fragrans) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Hagi, Sarusuberi, and Kin-mokusei flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Shion (Aster tataricus) flowers and a statue of Jizo Bosatsu: Engaku-ji

 

Susuki (Miscanthus sinensis) flowers: Jochi-ji

 

Seascape: Yuigahama-beach

 

Shumei-giku (Anemone hupehensis var. japonica) flowers: Tokei-ji

 

Higan-bana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Eisho-ji

 

Higan-bana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Eisho-ji

 

Shion (Aster tataricus) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Hagi (Lespedeza) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Rindo (autumn bellflower) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Shion (Aster tataricus) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Higan-bana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Eisho-ji

The transparent sunlight peculiar to early autumn is falling through the pellucid atmosphere and is filling the humble garden of this Buddhist convent with its serene and clear brightness.

As if to heartily welcome the refreshing and rich sunshine of this season, the vivid vermilion flowers of Higan-bana are blooming all together vigorously on the tips of the leafless stems before the appearance of their fresh leaves. 

The stunning color of a roaring flame is blazing quietly in this monastic garden, which makes me realize that the long-awaited autumn has just arrived here definitely.

Hagi (Lespedeza) flowers: Kencho-ji

The overwhelming sun and thick greenery of the dazzling midsummer, which once dominated everything in this garden, has already gone away.

As the gentle sunlight of autumn comes back here again, a variety of delicate colors of plants and lively signs of living things are beginning to quietly fill the garden which gradually restores its peacefulness.

Autumn begins with the arrival of a pleasant cool wind and soon ends with the incoming of a harsh northern wind. The cascades of Hagi flowers keep swaying slowly in the autumnal breeze as if to know the hurried passage of this beautiful season.

Higan-bana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Chojyu-ji

"Higan-bana" means the flower which blooms around Higan (the autumnal equinox) and its flowering season is about the middle of September. 

Its flower buds in the soil know their flowering time by sensing only the seasonal change of temperature. The flower stalks emerge from the ground before the leaves and its delicate flowers bloom in the form of radial clusters simultaneously.

When the flower stalks disappear after flowering, the leaves grow out and remain green over the winter. In early summer, when other plants start growing leaves, the leaves of Higan-bana die and the above-ground part of this plant is no longer visible.

Instead of producing seeds, this plant reproduces by making its bulbs in the soil for multiplication. The individuals in the same colony are genetically identical, and so they have similar flowering periods, flower size and color, and grass height.