Showing posts with label kaizo-ji. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kaizo-ji. Show all posts
October 8, 2025
Fuyo (Hibiscus) Flowers: Kaizo-ji
Summer has finally passed, and the clear, tranquil sun of autumn has returned to this quiet garden. The thin, rose-pink flowers of Fuyo (Cotton-rose hibiscus), which have been blooming elegantly throughout this summer to vividly color the monotonous green garden, are still showing their remaining beauty as if to try to resist the swift departure of summer.
The flowers of Fuyo bloom from summer to fall and are large, single or double flowers about 15 cm in diameter. They are ephemeral “one-day flowers” that open in the morning and wither away in the evening. When they first bloom, they are white or pale pink, but they gradually change to a deep crimson over time. Due to this color change, there is also a variety called "Sui Fuyo" (Drunken Hibiscus).
July 19, 2025
July 2, 2025
Sekkoku (Dendrobium moniliforme) flowers: Kaizo-ji
Sekkoku is a kind of epiphytic orchid that grows on the trunk of other plant and is native to the mountains and rocky areas of Japan.
This plant produces small white or pale pink flowers from spring to early summer. It has long been known as “Choseiran” (long-lived orchid) and became popular as a gardening plant during the Edo period (1603-1868).
July 22, 2024
July 11, 2024
Hanashobu (iris) flowers: Kaizo-ji
In the tradition of Japan, the iris flower has the auspicious meaning of victory or "Shobu" (triumphs over evil), and is associated with the wish to grow into a brave and strong samurai warrior.
There is also the legend that the slender leaf of iris look likes like the sharp bade of a japanese sword which enables a hero to slay any Oni (ogre) and demon. It is said that such a sward-like green leaf terrifies and exorcises all demolish spirits around us.
In the rainy season of late spring, iris opens its delicate and ephemeral flowers elegantly.
This plant has been believed to have the mystical power to ward off all evil spirits. In Japan, the annual Boys Day Festival of May 5th is called "Tango no sekku " which is also called “Iris Festival,” when people take Shobu-yu (bathwater with iris leaves) to pray their good fortune and health.
March 24, 2024
Otome-tsubaki (Camellia japonica f. otome) flower: Kaizo-ji
In the peaceful garden in front of the small temple gate, under the hazy sky of mid-spring, I found a multi-petaled flower of Otome-tsubaki (maiden camellia) blooming in a silent manner as if to be hiding shyly in its branches and leaves.
The brightly-colored flower of Tsubaki has been admired by Japanese people since ancient times, because it blooms flamingly while enduring cold temperature and present us a blazing color in a pale winter garden.
It is also highly praised in the tradition of tea ceremony as the queen of winter flowers. It is the precious brilliant flower which is most frequently arranged in a dim tea room during the desolate season of winter.
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