March 19, 2023

Tsubaki (camellia) flowers: Engaku-ji

Tsubaki (camellia) flowers: Engaku-ji


In the front garden of the Hojo (main temple hall), where the red apricot trees have already blossomed in full bloom to herald the arrival of spring, the crimson flowers of spring camellias are quietly blooming beside the old moss-covered stone statue of Byakue-kannon (Buddhist deity of mercy wearing white robes) to quietly celebrate the arrival of spring.

In spring, various plants and trees competitively bear their flowers one after another, while releasing the precious beauty and pleasant fragrance, and then those flowers must disappear fleetingly one by one.

The white-robed Kannon seems to be bending his ear lovingly to the inaudible innocent voices of these spring camellia flowers, that are now blooming brightly and will soon pass away silently. His gentle and merciful smile may teach them that all living beings are impermanent and transient according to the law of this universe.


Shidare-ume (weeping Japanese apricot) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Shidare-ume (weeping Japanese apricot) flowers: Kaizo-ji


Buddha taught that all things that seem to exist distinctly in this world are genuinely ephemeral and momentary like the bubbles of water, and that, no matter how beautiful a flower may be, it is empty to be enchanted by its fleeting beauty and to cling to this fragile dream as if it could last forever.

Although it is true, undoubtedly these flowers of spring are beautiful and fascinate those who find them, as they are blossoming in full bloom at the moment after enduring the ordeals of the long winter. 

I believe that even Buddha, who had already attained enlightenment and had conquered all his delusions, may be captivated by the innocent beauty of these spring flowers for a spell of time when he catches sight of them.


Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji


Although the easterly wind, that notifies the return of spring, had not begun to blow yet, in the chilly garden where the warm sunlight was still scarce, I found the small flowers of a red apricot tree blooming vividly like the adorable hair ornaments for girls, while releasing a faint fragrant scent of spring into the calm air.

In Asia, the plum or apricot flower has been considered to symbolically represent a pure and innocent girl, because it blooms as if to cheerfully express the joy of spring in the midst of severe cold weather. 

In Japan, people have called it "Harutuge-gusa" which means "the flower heralding the arrival of spring" and have admired its graceful virtue which daintily overcomes the harshness of long winter.


Kawazu-zakura (Cerasus × kanzakura ‘Kawazu-zakura’) flowers: Engaku-ji

Kawazu-zakura (Cerasus × kanzakura ‘Kawazu-zakura’) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Hakumokuren (Yulan magnolia) flowers: Engaku-ji

Hakumokuren (Yulan magnolia) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Mitsumata (Edgeworthia chrysantha) flowers: Engaku-ji

Mitsumata (Edgeworthia chrysantha) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Hakumokuren (Yulan magnolia) flowers: Engaku-ji

Hakumokuren (Yulan magnolia) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Mitsumata (Edgeworthia chrysantha) flowers: Engaku-ji

Mitsumata (Edgeworthia chrysantha) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

Shidare-ume (weeping Japanese apricot) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Shidare-ume (weeping Japanese apricot) flowers: Kaizo-ji

 

Oshima-zakura (Prunus speciosa) flowers: Kawakita-kinenkan (Kamakura)

Oshima-zakura (Prunus speciosa) flowers: Kawakita-kinenkan (Kamakura)

 

Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

White Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

 

February 11, 2023

The evening sky: Zaimokuza-beach

The evening sky: Zaimokuza-beach


The evening sun is sinking in the distance over the horizon, sending out dull golden flashes that make the sky, the clouds and the surface of the sea glow in different shades of vermilion.

The coldness and dryness of the clear winter air magically create the ever-changing seascape filled with different golden lights before nightfall.

The sparkling surface of the winter sea is constantly rippling as if it were the eternal heartbeats of the universe to which I belong. 

The chilly sea breeze is touching my cheek and the low murmur of the surf is surrounding me like the tenderhearted whisper of the sea spreading out endlessly before my eyes.



By the water's edge: Yuigahama-beach

By the water's edge: Yuigahama-beach


The surface of the sea is waving to sparkle without a break, and the clouds in the sky are constantly changing their shapes and flowing away. The low-pitched sounds of the waves and sea winds vibrate at the water's edge continuously.

While we stand on the seashore and gaze out to the seascape stretching out beyond the horizon, the sorrows and agonies of our souls are washed away and our innocence of childhood is restored by the wonder of the sea in the passing moment.



The setting sun: Zaimokuza-beach

The setting sun: Zaimokuza-beach


The brilliant light of the sinking sun is illuminating the countless scattered clouds high above the sea, which are flowing off gradually in the pale winter sky in the sacred shape of Suzaku (red Chinese phoenix) with its fully outstretched wings.

The ever-changing rays of the sun continue to penetrate into the cold evening sky just before the arrival of nightfall.

The dark shining surface of the sea and the slowly drifting clouds in the dusky blue sky show me the ever-metamorphosing wonder of the sunset glow. 

This seascape reveals the secret glory of this planet earth which I can encounter only once this time. 



Seascape: Yuigahama-beach

Seascape: Yuigahama-beach

 

The sunset sky: Zaimokuza-beach

The sunset sky: Zaimokuza-beach


While watching the endless seascape vividly dyed and ceaselessly transformed by the flaming glow of the setting sun, I have a feeling that I am encountering the magnificent spectacle of the ever-fluctuating universe which encircles me. 

I imagine that I have come into being from the omnipresent vibrations that fill this universe to spend a moment on this seashore of the earth, and I will eventually return into the fertile cosmic emptiness which is the true birthplace of mine.



The setting sun: Yuigahama-beach

The setting sun: Yuigahama-beach

 

Mt.Fuji beyond the evening sea: Inamuragasaki-cape

Mt.Fuji beyond the evening sea: Inamuragasaki-cape

 

The evening sky: Zaimokuza-beach

The evening sky: Zaimokuza-beach

 

The sinking sun: Yuigahama-beach

The sinking sun: Yuigahama-beach

 

Sunset glow: Zaimokuza-beach

Sunset glow: Zaimokuza-beach

 

The setting sun: Zaimokuza-beach

The setting sun: Zaimokuza-beach


The glow of the sunset : Zaikomuza-beach

The glow of the sunset : Zaikomuza-beach

 

The western sky aglow with the setting sun: Inamuragasaki-cape

The western sky aglow with the setting sun: Inamuragasaki-cape

 

The clouds in the late afternoon sky: Yuigahama-beach

The clouds in the late afternoon sky: Yuigahama beach

 

The setting sun: Imamuragasaki cape

The setting sun: Imamuragasaki cape