Autumn garden: Jyochi-ji

From the deep-blue autumnal sky, the transparent sun is gently alighting on this grassy garden and is softly illuminating the countless magenta flowers of Shumeigiku (Japanese anemone).

The eternal transition of the universe stealthily expresses itself in the everlasting change of seasons and the ephemeral tapestry of all living things.

In the universe of this deserted autumn garden, the modest flowers of Shumeigiku are devotedly blooming to fulfill their own missions of life endlessly.

Manryo (Ardisia crenata) fruits: Kaizo-ji

In the pale afternoon sunlight of autumn, these small plants of various bright colors are adorning an obscure part of the garden in an unobtrusive manner.

The precious beauty of the ruby Manryo fruits is magically enhanced by the vivid ocean-blue of the Rindo flowers.

A cool breeze is gently caressing my cheeks and makes me find that this transitional season is gradually passing away and these beauties here will return to nothing before I know about it.

Byakusin (Chinese juniper) tree: Kencho-ji

Like an ascetic monk determined to solemnly practise silence, this old Byakusin tree continues standing still through all kinds of hardships in its life of 750 years.

The wind, sun and rain have heavily weathered the intricately-twisted trunk of this tree and deep green moss is compassionately covering the waved bare surface of this old trunk.

Jyugatsu-sakura (October cherry) flowers: Engaku-ji

Rindo (gentian) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Bamboo grove: Kencho-ji

Fern: Kencho-ji

Hototogisu (Tricyrtis hirta) flowers: Engaku-ji

Sion (Aster tataricus) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Sion (Aster tataricus) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Shumeigiku (Anemone hupehensis var. japonica) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Ageha (Papilio xuthus) butterfly and Higanbana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Eisho-ji

Like quiet flames burning in the grass, the vivid vermilion flowers of Higanbana are blooming with one accord to silently tell us that autumn has arrived here undoubtedly.

Swallowtail butterflies, which once kept flitting high in the bright summer sky, are flying low to eagerly find scarce floral nectar before they disappear.

Soon these blazing flowers will vanish from sight without being noticed and brilliant autumnal tints of leaves will begin to emerge gradually in the gardens like always.

White heron: Kaizo-ji

In the tranquil garden behind the modest Buddha hall, I saw a silvery-white heron standing still on a rock and gazing fixedly at the quiet surface of the pond to hunt its prey. 

The illusion about the flow of time had disappeared completely and, through the piercing eyes of the heron, I eternally stared into the water surface sparkling calmly in the lucid autumnal sunlight. 

Hototogisu (Tricyritis hirta) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Just like the serene blue sky of autumn, every flower of this brief season is also concealing a subtle shade of sorrowfulness.

Autumn is the beautiful twilight of the year and wanes swiftly into the long gloomy days of winter.

Autumnal tints: Kencho-ji