Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Kita-kamakura

The colorful flower of Ajisai is one of the most precious gifts from this summer rainy season in Kita-kamakura.

The hazy sunlight falls down from the cloudy sky and softly enhances the subtle mixtures and gradations of various colors which Ajisai flowers present.

The humid warm air after a short rainfall lightly moistens the petals and leaves to try to keep them fresh and glossy against the swift passage of time.

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Kita-kamakura

In the long spell of rainy weather, the flowers of Ajisai bloom vigorously one after another and continue changing their colors with the aid of the enigmatic chemistry between rain and soil. 

As rainwater flows into their ornamental petals, the variations and shades of colors spread gradually on the surface of the petals like the pale watercolors for a painting of rain.

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

After the long rain, the patches of blue sky have just appeared through breaks in the thick clouds unexpectedly.

The vivid blue flowers of Ajisai are shining brightly in the momentary summer sun to let me remind that dazzling high summer will soon arrive and dominate here in company with the unclouded deep azure sky.

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

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Kita-kamakura

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

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Kita-kamakura

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Kita-kamakura

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Chojyu-ji

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

Ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers: Chojyu-ji

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji

The summer rainy season has just arrived here to bring abundant merciful rainwater for further fertilizing all living things which continue growing vigorously now. Plants are flourishing steadily and increasing their bright greenness as if to show an ambition to fully cover this world with their shades of green.

On the moist rock face, where moss and fern grow densely, countless lively leaves of Iwatabako spread thickly. Its star-shaped violet flowers protrude quietly one after another from beneath these shiny leaves to greet the rainy season of growth graciously.

Kaiu (arum lily) and Kakitsubata (Iris laevigata) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Rain clouds are starting to gather thick above this garden.

At the water's edge of the quiet pond, the white silky flowers of calla and iris are blooming secretly without being noticed.

The gentle sunlight is descending from the cloudy sky and is caressing these dainty flowers tenderly before it starts raining.

Iwatabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji

The flowering period of each Iwatabako flower is only three or four days.

This little pentagram flower falls without scattering and lies on the wet ground in its flowering figure like a violet shooting star which has just fallen to the earth.

In the woods where summer birds are singing merrily, the flowers of Iwatabako are timidly gazing at me from the high rock face and I feel as if that I heard their secret whispering about the beauty and mystery of our universe.

Iwagarami (Schizophragma hydrangeoides) flowers: Tokei-ji

The interlacing stems and branches of Iwagarami are clinging on the rough rock face behind the Buddha hall of this temple. Its numberless small flowers are blooming modestly in the green‐hued shade to fulfill their own duties for life and growth devotedly.

The pure-white ornamental flower, which resembles a single teardrop petal, is decorating the cluster of cream-colored flowers and is reflecting the pale sunlight from the overcast sky like a clear mirror to notify insects of the inconspicuous flowers.