February 20, 2022

Mt.Fuji viewed from Shichirigahama-beach

Mt.Fuji viewed from Shichirigahama-beach


Mt. Fuji crowned with pure white snow is towering beyond the finely rippling surface of Sagami Bay like a mythical all-knowing sage.

Far above the chilly azure sky, the silver clouds are lingering quietly, while shining radiantly in the afternoon sun of late winter.

A flock of black kites keep gliding soundlessly over the gently waving sea to intently seek for their precious food in the cold wind.

The pellucid sunlight of winter that brings such blue clarity of the seascape will soon be over, and the tender sun of early spring will dominate this world progressively.



Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji


In late winter, although the coldness and paleness are lingering stubbornly, the vivid red flowers of Ume have started blooming with all their might to nobly declare the approaching of warm spring.

I wonder why these noble flowers bloom so early as if to eagerly confront the severity of the remaining winter. The insects that help pollinate these flowers are yet to show themselves in this chilly garden.

I know that bearing flowers must be a painstaking process for any plant. These small spring flowers never tell the reason why they are blooming too early. They just keep blooming elegantly, while quietly withstanding the residue of wintry bitterness.


Winter seascape: Yuigahama-beach

Winter seascape: Yuigahama-beach


In the winter sun serenely shining on the tranquil sea, countless small waves keep rising and disappearing one after another. White thin clouds are unendingly emerging and fading away, while drifting gradually in the wintry sea breeze. 

The sun continues descending steadily before its sinking below the horizon with a deep gold glow.

The family standing still on the calm water's edge is staring into the peaceful seascape as if to try to look for their future far across the blue water. 



White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Mt.Fuji and Enoshima Island viewed from Inamuragasaki Cape

Mt.Fuji and Enoshima Island viewed from Inamuragasaki Cape

 

Byakue Kannon image: Engaku-ji

Bodhisattva image: Engaku-ji


In the "Garden of a Hundred Kanzeon Bosatsu (Avalokitaisvara)" of Engaku-ji Temple, there are moss-covered carved stones with the line drawing of Byakue Kannon, namely white-robed Kanzeon Bosatsu (Buddhist deity of compassion). 

This white-robed Kannon is depicted in the posture of sitting and meditating on a rock in a clear stream in the middle of Mt. Potalaka (Mt. Fudaraku). It is said that this sacred mountain is the Pure Land where Kannon lives. His unsullied white robe symbolizes his sacred purity and infinite compassion. 

Kannon Bosatsu is said to compassionately watch over any sorrowful event in this our world, to transform into any of his 33 figures for responding to the prayers of those who seek his salvation, and to save all living beings from all kinds of sufferings and agonies. 

In the Kamakura and Muromachi periods (the 12th to 16th century), Zen monks, who were highly skilled in painting, created many Suiboku-ga (ink and wash paintings) of this white-robed Kannon to symbolically represent the limitless compassion and the ultimate state of mediation of their Zen Buddhism.


Suisen (narcissus) flowers: Engaku-ji

Suisen (narcissus) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Bamboo and cedar: Engaku-ji

Bamboo and cedar: Engaku-ji

 

White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

 

Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Withered leaves: Kaizo-ji

Withered leaves: Kaizo-ji

 

White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

 

Suisen (narcissus) flowers: Jochi-ji

Suisen (narcissus) flowers: Jochi-ji

 

Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Hukujyuso (Adonis ramosa) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Hukujyuso (Adonis ramosa) flowers: Kaizo-ji