December 16, 2018

Autumnal colors: Tokei-ji

Autumnal colors: Tokei-ji


The dry chillness of winter causes the flaming colors of autumn leaves to appear gradually in this garden. In the pale gray sunlight of the cloudy afternoon, these leaves are glowing warmly to conclude their lifetimes with final quiet grace.

In preparation for the arrival of harsh midwinter, deciduous trees stop water-supply to their leaves and allow the leaves to dry and scatter. This desiccation gives rise to the subtle chemistry which colors the leaves scarlet, vermilion and gold.

The cold wind of winter is fitfully blowing across this garden and these bright-colored leaves are falling determinedly one after another in the murmuring sound of the north wind.




Sunset clouds: Yuigahama-beach

Sunset clouds: Yuigahama-beach


In the dark evening sky, the setting sun is tinting the drifting white clouds with deep crimson.

Far above the sunset clouds, the dazzling half moon is serenely casting silvery light on the quiet shore where I am standing still.

Like the eye of wisdom, the moon above is silently seeing into my mind as if to ask me why I exist here.



Evening sun: Yuigahama-beach

Evening sun: Yuigahama-beach


The blazing sun is gradually sinking toward the horizon, projecting an endless shinning path on the rippling sea.

The dark red clouds are slowly floating away on the calm sea-wind and melting into the golden evening sky.

According to the eternal fluctuation of the universe, the restless wavelets are lapping the sands before my eyes.



Autumn leaves: Engaku-ji

Autumn leaves: Engaku-ji


Early winter has already arrived in this modest garden and the leaves are in a hurry to take on red, vermilion and yellow.

The wooden standing statue of Sho Kannon, which is enclosed in the small shrine, is quietly staring at this beautiful incarnation of the changing seasons with a warm merciful smile.



Autumn leaves: Engaku-ji

Autumn leaves: Engaku-ji

Autumn grove: Tokei-ji

Autumn grove: Tokei-ji

Autumn leaves: Tokei-ji


Autumn leaves: Tokei-ji

Autumn leaves: Engaku-ji

Autumn leaves: Engaku-ji

Autumn leaves: Tokei-ji

Autumn leaves: Tokei-ji

Autumn leaves: Engaku-ji

Autumn leaves: Engaku-ji

Bamboo grove: Jochi-ji


Bamboo grove: Jochi-ji

November 29, 2018

Sunset glow: Zaimokuza-beach

Sunset glow: Zaimokuza-beach


The chilly and dry sea-breeze of late fall, which is ceaselessly blowing across the evening sea-shore, is swiftly driving away moisture and dust from the air to allow the pure golden light of the setting sun to reach the sea and the sands at last.

Moment by moment, the sun is going down toward the distant horizon. The piled clouds spreading over the evening sky are continuously drifting about and changing their shapes and colors in the twinkling of an eye.

The transition of the sun, the reflection on the sea, the transformation of the clouds, and the transparency of the air have just combined into one and have presented this divine impression of the sunset glow which is surrounding me now.



Setting sun: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Setting sun: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)


Through the shifting gaps in the restless drifting clouds, the setting sun shows itself divinely and gilds the entire seascape with its golden rays of mercy.

I see the sun blazing incandescently and sense that its brilliant rays are perpetually breathing precious life into all living things on earth.



Before sunset: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Before sunset: Yuigaha-beach (Kamakura)


Just before sunset, the cool wind is fleetly driving the countless cumulus clouds toward south. The evening sun is gradually descending beyond the western horizon and subtly tinting the atmosphere over the sea with warm vermilion.

Only the transient harmony of the westering sun, the calm sea, and the white clouds can exhibit this ever-changing and breathtaking panorama, which is a precious gift showing me the deepest wonder of our universe.



Before sunset: Yuigaha-beach (Kamakura)

Before sunset: Yuigaha-beach (Kamakura)


In the calm evening sky, the silver-white fleecy clouds are slowly floating across the sea while varying in shape and gradation continuously.

The rhythmical low sounds of the waves and sea-winds are completely surrounding me like the pleasant whispering voices from this planet earth.

The people standing still on the shore are silently gazing into the setting sun and anxiously waiting for the height of the evening glow to reveal itself.




Sunset glow: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)


Sunset glow: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Setting sun: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Setting sun: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Sunset glow: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Sunset glow: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Sunset glow: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Sunset glow: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Sunset glow: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Sunset glow: Yuigahama beach

November 8, 2018

Autumn garden: Jyochi-ji

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

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 touching 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

Byakusin (Chinese juniper) tree: Kencho-ji


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

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


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

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

Rindo (gentian) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Rindo (gentian) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Bamboo grove: Kencho-ji

Bamboo grove: Kencho-ji

Fern: Kencho-ji

Fern: Kencho-ji

Hototogisu (Tricyrtis hirta) flowers: Engaku-ji

Hototogisu (Tricyrtis hirta) flowers: Engaku-ji

Sion (Aster tataricus) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Sion (Aster tataricus) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Sion (Aster tataricus) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Sion (Aster tataricus) flowers: Kaizo-ji

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

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

October 15, 2018

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

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

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

Autumnal tints: Kencho-ji

Hagi (Lespedeza) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Hagi (Lespedeza) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Higanbana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Eisho-ji

Higanbana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Eisho-ji

Sion (Aster tataricus) flowers: Kaizo-ji


October azure sky: Yuigahama-beach

October sky: Yuigahama-beach

Murasaki-shikibu (Callicarpa japonica) fruits: Engaku-ji

Murasaki-shikibu (Callicarpa japonica) fruits: Engaku-ji

Higanbana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Higanbana (Lycoris radiata) flowers: Kaizo-ji

September 4, 2018

Summer white clouds: Kaizo-ji

Summer white clouds: Kaizo-ji


Like a colossus of snow-white marble, the gigantic columns of summer clouds are soaring high in the untainted blue sky to display the intense force of life that the scorching sun provides.

By the blessing of the blazing sun, every plant continues growing vigorously to fulfill its own seasonal mission silently.

The height of summer appears to stay here forever and it is hard to believe that this robust and brilliant season is sure to end before long.


Sacred lotus flower; Eisho-ji

Sacred lotus flower; Eisho-ji


Trees and plants are eagerly absorbing the parching heat of high summer to flourish hurriedly against the rapid transition of seasons.

Because other flowers have almost disappeared in the harsh sunlight, these precious flowers of summer delight my eyes deeply with their graceful forms and colors.


Garden of summer: Kaizo-ji

Garden of summer: Kaizo-ji

Water lily flowers: Kaizo-ji

Water lily flowers: Kaizo-ji

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

Summer white clouds: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Summer white clouds: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Lotus seeds: Kaizo-ji

Lotus seeds: Kaizo-ji

Sarusuberi (Crape myrtle) flowers: Eisho-ji

Sarusuberi (Crape myrtle) flowers: Eisho-ji

Summer white clouds: Yuigahama-beach (Kamakura)

Summer white clouds: Yuigahama-beach