Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Jochi-ji

The modest flowers of Yama-ajisai (mountain hydrangea) are quietly blooming near the old well, which is called “Kanro-no-i (the well of sweet water)” in front of the small mountain gate. 

In Buddhism, "Kanro" means “the sweet rainwater falling from the heaven” and is said to be the elixir of immortality and be used as a symbol of enlightenment.

The moss-covered stone bridge over the small "Houjyou-ike" pond seems to beautify these elegant flowers moderately. Houjyou-ike is the pond of the Zen-sect style for releasing captive animals mercifully before entering into the temple garden.

The rainy season lasts for a while, and soon the dazzling midsummer arrives here. In the blazing sunlight, splendid red and white flowers of lotus will begin blooming successively in the vast "Genpei" Pond of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The gentle flowers of the rainy season must fade away before long, and the seasons keep rotating fast and steadily before my eyes.