May 21, 2021

Water lily flower: Kita-kamakura

Water lily flower: Kita-kamakura


In spring, temperate water lilies awaken from their winter sleeping and slowly grow their round leaves in the water in response to the gradual increase of temperature and the sunlight. 

In the course of time, their flower buds appear in the water and begin to grow and rise toward the surface of the water. Eventually, these flower buds emerge from the calm water surface to open and bloom like the little water sprites that show themselves before the beginning of the rainy season.

As the temperature rises in the morning sun, the flower petals slowly open, and in the afternoon, when the sunlight gets weaker and the temperature becomes lower, they close gradually. 

This opening and closing process is repeated for about three days, and then the flowers fulfill their roles and die.

A golden killifish is staring fixedly at the newborn flower as if to be enchanted by the magic spell of this water fairy. 


Tsutsuji (Rhododendron) flowers: Jochi-ji

Tsutsuji (Rhododendron) flowers: Jochi-ji


The countless flowers of Tsutsuji (rhododendron) and Shaga (Iris japonica) are blooming on both sides of the scraped stone steps leading up to the Shoro-mon (gate with bell tower) as if to welcome those who enter through the gate and arrive at the peaceful place of nirvana.

The calm sunlight pouring down between the thick green leaves is gracefully illuminating the unmanned stone steps and the full-blown flowers to deepen the spiritual stillness of this garden even more.

Rose flowers: Ofuna botanical garden (Kamakura)

Rose flowers: Ofuna botanical garden (Kamakura)

 

Zen garden: Zuisen-ji

Zen garden: Zuisen-ji


The stone cave named "Ten-nyo do" (the cave of the goddess of mercy) is carved in a large rock in the northern corner of the temple grounds. 

This cave was made as a place for "Suigetsu-kan" (water and moon viewing meditation), which is one of the typical ascetic practices of Rinzai-Zen school.

A pond named "Choseichi" (the pond of pure water) was dug in front of this cave. The center of the pond was formed as an island. On the left side of the pond, there are a waterfall basin, a waterfall-divider stone, and a vertical rock wall which works as an artificial waterfall of stored rain water. 

There are two small wooden bridges, which lead to the mountain path to the humble hut named "Ichiran-tei" (the sightseeing arbor) above the pond.

This subtle and profound "Iwa-niwa" (rock garden) is said to be the initial archetype of Zen gardens of Japan and was originally landscaped by Muso Soseki. He was a renowned Zen priest of the Rinzai sect, a garden designer, and a poet, who lived from the end of the Kamakura period to the early Muromachi period (1275―1351).


Sekkoku (Dendrobium moniliforme) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Sekkoku (Dendrobium moniliforme) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Fuji (Wisteria floribunda) flowers: Nikaido (Kamakura)

Fuji (Wisteria floribunda) flowers: Nikaido (Kamakura)

 

Hakuunboku (Styrax obassia) flowers and a Papilio protenor butterfly: Engaku-ji

Hakuunboku (Styrax obassia) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Hakuunboku (Styrax obassia) flowers: Engaku-ji

Hakuunboku (Styrax obassia) flowers: Engaku-ji



 

Kodemari (Spiraea cantoniensis) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Kodemari (Spiraea cantoniensis) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Yae-zakura (double-flowered cherry tree) flowers: Engaku-ji

Yae-zakura (double-flowered cherry tree) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Bamboo grove: Kencho-ji

Bamboo grove: Kencho-ji

 

Utsugi (Deutzia crenata) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Utsugi (Deutzia crenata) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Fuji (Wisteria floribunda) flowers: Ofuna botanical garden (Kamakura)

Fuji (Wisteria floribunda) flowers: Ofuna botanical garden (Kamakura)


 

Baika-utsugi (Philadelphus satsumi) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Baika-utsugi (Philadelphus satsumi) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Shakunage (Rhododendron metternichii) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Shakunage (Rhododendron metternichii) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

May 7, 2021

Byakusin (Juniperus chinensis) trees and Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

Byakusin (Juniperus chinensis) trees and Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji


Along the entrance path leading to the Buddha Hall, a cluster of old Byakushin (Chinese juniper) trees are firmly standing tall, which are over 750 years old and were planted when this Zen temple was built in the 13th century. 

The robust and steady growth of these majestic trees symbolically represents the religious life of a trainee monk who seeks the ultimate wisdom and enlightenment.

The evergreen needle-leaves that twist and rise up like blazing green flames make me sense the strong and ascetic life force of these old trees.

The large brightly-colored flowers of Botan (peony), which are described as the most celebrated spring flower in the Eastern tradition, are blooming by the side of these evergreen trees to attend them like graceful noble ladies.


Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji


By the quiet slope way to the Zendo hall (meditation hall), the brilliant flowers of Botan (tree peony) are in full bloom as if to reveal their dignity and splendor.

It is said that tree peonies were imported to Japan as a medicinal plant in the Nara period (710-794) at the time of the introduction of Buddhism from the Tang dynasty of China.

In this temple garden, Botan trees are carefully looked after by the "Samu" (silent routine-working in a Zen temple) of "Un-sui" (trainee monks) to offer the precious beauty of the flowers to worship-visitors as an act of charity. 

In the Rinzai Zen school, Samu working is assigned as a way of mental concentration and fundamental spiritual training for the liberation from earthly delusions, desires and anger.



Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji


D.T. Suzuki, a renowned Buddhist philosopher who introduced the philosophy of Zen Buddhism to the West, spent his last years of busy research life at the ”Matsugaoka Bunko (library)” built within the precincts of Tokei-ji Temple in Kita-Kamakura.

This great Buddhist philosopher dearly loved the magnificent deep-red flowers of Botan (peony) which could be seen through the window of his library every spring.

He is said to highly praise the deep-red peony flowers in the garden of fresh green as the wonderful manifestation of the life force of the earth and to cut off and press the petals of the overblown flowers for the bookmarks between the pages of his sacred Buddhist books.

Bamboo grove and Shaga (Iris japonica) flowers: Kencho-ji

Bamboo grove and Shaga (Iris japonica) flowers: Kencho-ji

 

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

 

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji



 

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

 

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

 

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

 

Shakunage (Rhododendron metternichii) flowers and a Momiji (Maple) tree: Kaizo-ji

Shakunage (Rhododendron metternichii) flowers and a Momiji (Maple) tree: Kaizo-ji

 

Yamabuki (Kerria japonica) and Shaga (Iris japonica) flowers: Jochi-ji

Yamabuki (Kerria japonica) and Shaga (Iris japonica) flowers: Jochi-ji

 

Shaga (Iris japonica) flowers: Jochi-ji

Shaga (Iris japonica) flowers: Jochi-ji

 

Tsutsuji (Rhododendron), Shakunage (Rhododendron metternichii) and Yamabuki (Kerria japonica) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Tsutsuji (Rhododendron), Shakunage (Rhododendron metternichii) and Yamabuki (Kerria japonica) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Shakunage (Rhododendron metternichii) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Shakunage (Rhododendron metternichii) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Tsutsuji (Rhododendron) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Tsutsuji (Rhododendron) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Shaga (Iris japonica) flowers: Kita-kamakura

Shaga (Iris japonica) flowers: Kita-kamakura 