July 29, 2017

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji



In the dazzling sunlight and intense heat, noble lotus flowers vigorously come into bloom high on the muddy water and give off the fragrant aroma of summer over the lotus pond.

The lotus grows out towards the sun from the bottom of dirty water and blooms pristinely on this water. The flower of lotus is compared to a spiritually awakened sage and its blossoming and dying is regarded as a symbol of our transitoriness of life.

In the height of summer, the glorious flowers of lotus bloom devotedly and reveal the blessing of the scorching brilliant sun.


Sacred lotus flower: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu



Sacred lotus flower: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu



When a lotus flower opens in the bright sun, a receptacle divinely appears in the center of the flower. This receptacle has a round gold stigma which is the pistil of this flower.

Because the countless stamens around the pistil are too short to self-pollinate, this flower invites insect pollinators for its pollination by means of its sweet aroma, nectar and color.

The pistil receives pollen and turns black. The silky flower petals flutter down by themselves after four days from opening.


Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji



Dragonfly on a lotus flower bud: Kaizo-ji


Nouzen-kazura flowers: Kaizo-ji


Sacred lotus flower: Kaizo-ji


Bamboo grove: Engaku-ji


Sacred Lotus flower: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu


Sacred Lotus flower: Tsurugaoka-hacbimagu


Ajisai (Hydrangea) flowers: Kamakura

July 2, 2017

Iwa-tabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji



Like the transient twinkles of dewdrops in the clear morning sun, flowers bloom fleetingly and soon fall without any attachment.

The true nature of a flower, which always impresses me profoundly, consists of this transience.

A flower vanishes like a bubble on the water, which makes me notice the meaning of existence and the preciousness of non-attachment.

Every living thing is destined to occur and pass like the momentary haze of heated air.


Iwa-tabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Tokei-ji


Iwa-tabako (Conandron ramondioides) flowers: Kaizo-ji


Ajisai (Hydrangea) flowers: Engaku-ji



The exquisite colors of Ajisai flowers are generated and changed by the subtle chemistry between the abundant water of rain and the violet pigments of these flowers.

In our Buddhist culture, every flower implies the merciful words of Buddha which save the suffering soul of every living thing.

The rainy season ends soon and the long blistering summer arrives here to brighten up our world vividly.



Ajisai (Hydrangea) flowers: Chojyu-ji


Ajisai (Japanese hydrangea) flowers: Kita-kamakura


Ayame (Iris sanguinea) flowers: Kaizo-ji


Ajisai (Hydrangea) flowers: Kaizo-ji


Gaku-ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla) : Engaku-ji


Ayame (Iris sanguinea) flowers: Tokei-ji


Gaku-ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla): Jochi-ji